From R V TAYLOR
M J Simpson’s amusing piece on Brownian motion was enjoyable, but unfortunately
demonstrated an all-too-common ignorance of, and indifference to, the history
of science (Forum, 15 December).
Far from being ‘a nobody .. (who) didn’t really do anything,’ Robert
Brown was a most able botanist who not only discovered the cell nucleus,
but who did seminal work in our understanding of the pollination of plants.
Brownian motion was a spin-off from his microscopical study of pollen, and
I used to find the historical context most helpful in teaching the concept.
More appreciation of history would doubtless help Simon.
R V Taylor Abingdon Oxfordshire
