Oldenburg
NAME:
Oldenburg, Henry
ACHIEVEMENTS: Secretary of Royal Society.
NICKNAME/ALIAS:
Grubendol
DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH:
c1618, Bremen, Germany
DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH AND AGE AT DEATH:
5 September 1677, London, England. Aged around 59
DISCIPLINE:
Diplomat, man of letters
FIELD:
Science
LANGUAGE:
German/English
PARENTS:
Father: Heinrich Oldenburg
Mother: name unknown
SIBLINGS:
Unknown
SPOUSE:
- Dorothy West
- Dora Durie
CHILDREN:
By Dury:
1 son: Rupert
1 daughter: Sophie
EDUCATION:
Paedagogium, Bremen
Gymnasim Illustre, Bremen
University of Utrecht
MAJOR WORK:
None
LIFE AND TIMES:
Oldenburg graduated with a master's degree in theology in 1639. After arriving at Utrecht University in the Netherlands to continue his studies in 1641 nothing is recorded of his life for the next twelve years. It is most likely that he was employed as a private tutor in England and on the continent because at some stage he became proficient in French, Italian and English.
In 1653 he was chosen by the city of Bremen to lead an embassy to England to get <negotiated with> Cromwell*’s agreement to respect the neutrality of Bremen shipping during the war between England and the Dutch republic. He remained in England, probably working as a private tutor, after the war ended in 1654.
In October of that year, he met Cromwell to ask him to intercede in the quarrel between Charles X of Sweden and Bremen, and succeeded in persuading Cromwell to write to both parties. By 1656, Oldenburg had established himself among the Puritan intellectual community in England.
He was friendly with <a pal of> Hartlib* and the poet <a pal of> Milton* , and corresponded with the philosopher <corresponded with> Hobbes*. Most important, he got to know Lady Ranelagh, the sister of the scientist <a pal of> Boyle*. This contact turned Oldenburg towards science rather than the theological and classical interests he had previously followed.
He accompanied Lady Ranelagh's son to Oxford where Boyle, <a pal of> Wilkins*, and most of the scientists and medical men who would establish the <secretary to> Royal Society* were working. Oldenburg attended the meetings of these men who met at Wilkins's lodgings and he became interested in Boyle’s chemical work and its application to medicine.
In 1657 Oldenburg left Oxford with his pupil on a European tour. They attended the Protestant academy at Saumur and in the spring of 1658 went first to Basel and then travelled through Germany. They spent the winter of 1658-59 near the university town of Montpellier in the south of France, arriving in Paris in the spring of 1659. They stayed there for over a year and Oldenburg heard at first hand the debates on philosophical, scientific and medical subjects which took place in the capital.
When he returned to London in May 1660 he found a scientific society being set up under the patronage of the newly-restored monarchy. At a meeting in November, Oldenburg's name is recorded in a list of those thought fit to be invited for membership. In 1661, he travelled to the continent again and met both <a pal of> Christiaan Huyghens* and the philosopher <a pal of> Spinoza*.
In 1662 the Royal Society was granted its charter and Oldenburg became Secretary. Boyle was his scientific mentor and Oldenburg was now deeply concerned with subjects such as physics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history and medicine. He became the hub of the Society both in England and abroad.
His unique contribution was the extent and depth of his correspondence, facilitated by his languages, numerous acquaintances and hard work. Foreign scientists were anxious to publish their own work and to hear about new discoveries. Oldenburg became a person of public standing in England, the American colonies and on the continent.
As well as Continental correspondents such as <corresponded with> Thevenot*, the French book-collector, he corresponded with English men of science like the naturalist <corresponded with> Ray*.
In March 1664 came the first of the Society’s monthly "Philosophical Transactions," mostly written by Oldenburg. From the beginning, it was much in demand, linking country members with those in London, and providing a forum for discussion with scientists all over Europe and in America.
For some, like the Dutch microscopist <corresponded with> Leeuwenhoek* in the Netherlands, Oldenburg was the only source of the latest scientific information. Most of his correspondents became members of the Society. During the plague of 1665, Oldenburg was one of the few members to brave the conditions in London and keep the administration going.
The following year the Great Fire of London almost destroyed the English book trade and Oldenburg's finances suffered. He tried for a salaried job but was unable to find one and in 1667 was imprisoned in the Tower of London, probably because his correspondence with foreigners such as Thevenot and <corresponded with> Malpighi* aroused suspicion.
Oldenburg was sometimes indiscreet and did not stick only to scientific matters. He had, for example, criticized England's part in the latest Dutch war.
His appeals to <failed appeal to> Charles II* were not forwarded and although he was visited in the Tower by the novelist <visited in gaol by> Evelyn*, none of his friends were able to help.
On his release his position improved somewhat on his second marriage in 1668 to his ward <wife was> Dora Durie*, the daughter of <married daughter of> John Durie*. Established again as a property owner, Oldenburg continued with his work at the Society. In 1670 he help to launch the career of the astronomer <launched career of> Flamsteed*. In 1671 began a correspondence with the German philosopher <corresponded with> Leibniz* and admitted him to the Society when he visited London in 1673. Oldenburg died in 1677.
ASSESSMENT: Oldenburg’s cultivation of contacts and his extensive correspondence played a vital part in establishing the Royal Society as an internationally recognised forum.
EXTRA CONNECTIONS: Corresponded with <corresponded with> John Collins*, <corresponded with> E. Bartholin*, <corresponded with> Winthrop*
Was followed as Royal Society Sec. by <succeeded by> Grew* and <succeeded by> Hooke*
Was a friend of <a pal of> Wren*
ONELINER: Henry Oldenburg, first Secretary of the Royal Society*
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hall, Rupert and Hall, Marie Boas, The Correspondence of Henry Oldenburg, Vols I, II and III.