Margaret Gowing
Encyclopedia
Professor Margaret Gowing, CBE
, (26 April 1921 – 7 November 1998) was an English historian
.
, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in conjunction with Longman's, Green and Co. She was perhaps better known for her books, commissioned by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
, covering the early history of Britain
's nuclear weapons programmes.
As an official historian of the History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Civil Series, Gowing had access to unpublished official papers and files. As historian/archivist at the UK Atomic Energy Authority from 1959 to 1966 she had free access to official papers and files of the British nuclear weapons programmes; and personally knew many of the people involved. As co-founder (with physicist Nicholas Kurti
) and first Director (1972–1986) of the Contemporary Scientific Archives Centre in Oxford
, she helped ensure the preservation of contemporary scientific manuscripts.
An archive of Margaret Gowing's papers is held by the Museum of the History of Science
in Oxford, presented by her in 1991, with additions on her death in 1998.
, working in the Ministry of Supply
and the Board of Trade
, before moving to the Cabinet Office
in 1945. There she became involved with the Official History of the Second World War
, as assistant to Keith Hancock
who was overall editor of the United Kingdom Civil Series of books within the Official History. In 1944 she married Donald Gowing; they had two children. He died in 1969. The television journalist Nik Gowing
(born 1951) is one of her children.
From 1959 to 1966, she acted as the historian and archivist of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, organising systems and criteria for the selection for preservation of scientific, engineering and administrative records; and writing the history of the British atomic project since it began in 1939.
, Canterbury, covering scientific, technical, economic and social history. From 1972, she was the first Professor of the History of Science
at the University of Oxford
, where she was based at Linacre College
. She delivered her inaugural lecture there, What's Science to History or History to Science?, on 27 May 1975.
General Series
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
, (26 April 1921 – 7 November 1998) was an English historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
.
Overview
Margaret Gowing was involved with the production of several volumes of the officially sponsored History of the Second World WarHistory of the Second World War
The History of the Second World War is the official history of Britain's contribution to the Second World War and was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office . This immense project was sub-divided into a number of areas to ease publication. Military operations are covered in the United Kingdom...
, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in conjunction with Longman's, Green and Co. She was perhaps better known for her books, commissioned by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of nuclear fusion power. It is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and was formerly chaired by Lady Barbara Judge CBE...
, covering the early history of Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's nuclear weapons programmes.
As an official historian of the History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Civil Series, Gowing had access to unpublished official papers and files. As historian/archivist at the UK Atomic Energy Authority from 1959 to 1966 she had free access to official papers and files of the British nuclear weapons programmes; and personally knew many of the people involved. As co-founder (with physicist Nicholas Kurti
Nicholas Kurti
Professor Nicholas Kurti FRS was a Hungarian-born physicist who lived in Oxford, UK, for most of his life. In his era, he was one of the leading experimental physicists....
) and first Director (1972–1986) of the Contemporary Scientific Archives Centre in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, she helped ensure the preservation of contemporary scientific manuscripts.
An archive of Margaret Gowing's papers is held by the Museum of the History of Science
Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
The Museum of the History of Science, located in Broad Street, Oxford, is home to an unrivalled collection of scientific instruments from medieval times to the 17th century. Its collection of 18th and 19th-century instruments is also substantial...
in Oxford, presented by her in 1991, with additions on her death in 1998.
Civil Service career
Margaret Mary Elliott joined the Civil ServiceCivil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
, working in the Ministry of Supply
Ministry of Supply
The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...
and the Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
, before moving to the Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
in 1945. There she became involved with the Official History of the Second World War
History of the Second World War
The History of the Second World War is the official history of Britain's contribution to the Second World War and was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office . This immense project was sub-divided into a number of areas to ease publication. Military operations are covered in the United Kingdom...
, as assistant to Keith Hancock
Keith Hancock
Sir Keith Hancock KBE was an Australian historian.He was born in Melbourne, Victoria, the son of Archdeacon William Hancock. At the age of nine, he won the Royal Humane Society's medal for rescuing another child from drowning in the Mitchell River. He was educated at Melbourne Grammar School...
who was overall editor of the United Kingdom Civil Series of books within the Official History. In 1944 she married Donald Gowing; they had two children. He died in 1969. The television journalist Nik Gowing
Nik Gowing
Nik Keith Gowing is a British television journalist. He was educated at the Simon Langton Grammar School in Canterbury and Latymer Upper School in London, followed by Bristol University....
(born 1951) is one of her children.
From 1959 to 1966, she acted as the historian and archivist of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, organising systems and criteria for the selection for preservation of scientific, engineering and administrative records; and writing the history of the British atomic project since it began in 1939.
University career
In 1966 she became Reader in Contemporary History at the University of KentUniversity of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
, Canterbury, covering scientific, technical, economic and social history. From 1972, she was the first Professor of the History of Science
History of science
The history of science is the study of the historical development of human understandings of the natural world and the domains of the social sciences....
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, where she was based at Linacre College
Linacre College, Oxford
Linacre College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the UK, currently offering graduate entry only. It is located on St Cross Road at the corner of St Cross Road and South Parks Road, next to the University Parks and opposite the Tinbergen Building, which is shared by...
. She delivered her inaugural lecture there, What's Science to History or History to Science?, on 27 May 1975.
Lectures
- 1976 Wilkins Lecture, Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
: Science, Technology and Education: England in 1870 - 1976 Enid Muir Lecture, University of ManchesterUniversity of ManchesterThe University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
- 1977 Bernal Lecture, Birkbeck College, London: Science and Politics
- 1978 Rede LectureRede LectureThe Sir Robert Rede's Lecturer is an annual appointment to give a public lecture, the Sir Robert Rede's Lecture at the University of Cambridge. It is named for Sir Robert Rede, who was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the sixteenth century.-Initial series:The initial series of lectures ranges...
, Cambridge University: Reflections on Atomic Energy History - 1981 Institution of Nuclear Engineers Annual Lecture: Principalities and Nuclear Power: the origins of reactor systems
- 1982 Herbert Spencer Lecture, University of Oxford: Science and Politics: an old and intimate relationship
Honours
- Companion of the Order of the British Empire
- Honorary DLitt, 1976, University of LeedsUniversity of LeedsThe University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
. - Honorary DLitt, 1982, University of LeicesterUniversity of LeicesterThe University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
.
History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Civil Series
Introduction- British War Economy (with W.K. HancockKeith HancockSir Keith Hancock KBE was an Australian historian.He was born in Melbourne, Victoria, the son of Archdeacon William Hancock. At the age of nine, he won the Royal Humane Society's medal for rescuing another child from drowning in the Mitchell River. He was educated at Melbourne Grammar School...
; 1952). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office/Longman's, Green and Co. Link to HTML version of British War Economy
General Series
- Civil Industry and Trade (with Eric L. Hargreaves; 1952). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office/Longman's, Green & Co.
British nuclear weapons programmes
- Britain and Atomic Energy, 1935-1945 (1964) London: Macmillan Publishing.
- Independence and Deterrence: Britain and Atomic Energy, 1945-52. Volume 1: Policy Making (assisted by Lorna ArnoldLorna ArnoldLorna Arnold is a historian who has written a number of books connected with the British nuclear weapons programmes.As the second official historian of the British nuclear weapons programmes, she has had access to previously secret documents and personally knew many of the people involved...
). (1974). London: Macmillan Publishing, ISBN 0-333-15781-8. - Independence and Deterrence: Britain and Atomic Energy, 1945-52. Volume 2: Policy Execution (assisted by Lorna ArnoldLorna ArnoldLorna Arnold is a historian who has written a number of books connected with the British nuclear weapons programmes.As the second official historian of the British nuclear weapons programmes, she has had access to previously secret documents and personally knew many of the people involved...
). (1974). London: Macmillan Publishing, ISBN 0-333-16695-7.