Jim Bennett (historian)

Jim Bennett
Photograph of Jim Bennett
Bennett on his retirement in 2012[1]
Born(1947-04-02)2 April 1947
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died28 October 2023(2023-10-28) (aged 76)
Oxford, England
Other namesJames Arthur Bennett
OccupationMuseum curator
Years active20th–21st century
Known forDirector of history of science museums in Cambridge and Oxford
AwardsPaul Bunge Prize, German Chemical Society (2001);
PhysicsEstoire Prize, European Physical Society (2018);
George Sarton Medal, History of Science Society (2020);
Agnes Mary Clerke Medal, Royal Astronomical Society (2023)[2]
Academic background
EducationGrosvenor High School (Belfast)
Alma materClare College, University of Cambridge
Academic work
DisciplineHistorian of science
Sub-disciplineHistory of scientific instruments and astronomy
InstitutionsWhipple Museum of the History of Science (Cambridge)
Museum of the History of Science, (Oxford)
Main interests16–18th century scientific instruments and astronomy
Notable worksLondon's Leonardo: The Life and Work of Robert Hooke (2003); The Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science (2003)

James Arthur Bennett, FSA, FRAS (2 April 1947 – 28 October 2023[3]) was a British museum curator and historian of science.[4][2] Bennett's interests lay in the history of practical mathematics from the 16th century to the 18th century, scientific instruments and astronomy.[5]

  1. ^ "Jim Bennett Retires". Inside HSM Oxford. History of Science Museum, Oxford. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Jim Bennett (1947–2023)". UK: Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  3. ^ Nall, Jishua (30 December 2023). "Jim Bennett obituary". The Guardian. p. 8. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  4. ^ Ackermann, Silke; Johnston, Stephen (30 October 2023). "Celebrating the life of Professor Jim Bennett". UK: History of Science Museum, University of Oxford. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  5. ^ Johnston, Stephen (Spring 2024). "OBITUARY: Jim Bennett (1947–2023): life as a museum practitioner". Science Museum Group Journal. UK. doi:10.15180/242105.