Scientific poetry: Sonet to Science, by Edgar Allan Poe

Although the genre of scientific poetry has its roots in the ancient Rome, at the end of the 18th century and during the 19th century, due to the great advances in science, both scientists and poets wrote poems alluding to science. The American poet Edgar Allan Poe, famous for his poem “The Raven", among other literary works, wrote "Sonnet to Science" in 1829.

The English language of the original poem is a cultivated language with some terms that are no longer used today. Throughout the poem you can notice an almost reverential admiration of Poe to science that, absorbed, contemplates it forgetting the rest under a tamarind tree.

Here is the poem (and if you look for it in Spanish, please see this article in the Spanish version of this blog):

Science: when serious names are not enough in Biology

Searching for scientific names can be a tired work, especially when several names are needed. Biology is an area which requiere names all the time in order to label new species of living beings in each discovery. So scientists decided to convert this work in a fun task!

How about if you discover a new jellyfish and you are also a fan of the The Big Bang Theory sitcom? Why not name it Bazinga, for example? Well, this is what an Australian research group did using the Sheldon Cooper's favorite phrase to name a new species of jellyfish of the size of a grape.

But this is not the only situation. There are many biologists and fans of other characters and celebrities!

Science: when serious names are not enough in Chemistry

Imagine that you are a scientist involved in researching all day because it is your passion. But what happens when you make a discovery? What kind of names do you choose to name it?

In chemistry we know that the element Helium, for example, was named like that because there is a lot of it present in the sun and we know that other chemical names have a logical origin and explanation, but how about that you got tired of serious names?

Why not call a new protein Pikachurine, for example?

Famous people that studied science VI

Yes, more famous people related to science world!

Rowan Atkinson studied electric engineering in the Newcastle University in England and later he earned a Master degree at the Queen College. Yes, you know, the engineer Atkinson is the famous Mr. Bean!

Famous people that studied sciences and mathematics V

Continuing with people linked to science we have the following list:

Pope Francisco, the Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had a bachelor degree in chemistry. Well, he decided to follow other way din’t it?

Famous people that studied sciences and mathematics IV

With the suggestions of our readers, we have added new famous people related with science:

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany and one of the most recognized woman of the planet, studied physics in the University of Leipzig. She obtained her PhD and worked in chemistry in the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry in Berlin. After this, she became a politician, you know.

What people need?

What people need in a sad world?

Famous people that studied sciences and mathematics II

In this time, let us see some politicians related with science during their life:

Corazón Aquino was a mathematician and first woman in being president of her country, Philipines.

Famous people that studied sciences and mathematics I

Some uncommon people not necessarily associated with science were actually interested in science subjects during their life. Some of them even obtained master degrees and PhDs. Moreover some of them work in science and art as parallel activities!

Let us see some examples:

Do you remember Winnie from The Wonderful Years series? She was played by the actress Danica McKellar who is also a mathematician who besides participating in TV series, also gives talks and writes books about mathematics.