Overview

For today's students, pursuing a career in science is as normal as undertaking the study of law or medicine. Yet, before 1800 it would have seemed almost inconceivable that one day people could earn a living practicing science. In fact, the word "scientist" was not even invented until 1833. During the nineteenth century, however, the proliferation of scientific societies, journals, and opportunities for advanced research and education lead to the professionalization of the physical sciences and the formalized structure of specialization, publication, and academic training that characterizes modern scientific scholarship.

Background

The primary characteristics of all professions are authority and autonomy. Only members of a profession are granted the privilege of determining what is true or valid within that field. For instance, only astronomers can determine whether...