The Herrick: Science and the Art of Fiction

He began his career as a theoretical physicist, studying at King’s University.

Professor Galloway opened his talk by elucidating the origins of his interest in both Physics and the Arts, tracing their union back to his mother referring to him as a ‘theatrical physicist’ when he visited home in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis!

Professor Galloway then covered literature spanning Hardy, Livingston Lowe and Coleridge, to name a few. Galloway spent some time considering the origin of some of Coleridge’s ideas when writing The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and then went on to ask where we can look to find science in literature. It transpires to be in an unlikely spot - detective stories! The work of Dorothy L Sayers was used to demonstrate this via transcript, illustrating how exact scientific references can be uncovered in popular literature through the ages. A particularly shocking highlight was the explanation offered of the ‘so-called rice-water fluids’ released when a patient suffers with the bacterial disease of cholera in Farrell’s The Siege of Krishnapur. Science, it appears, has long been a companion of literature. 

Professor Galloway’s extensive knowledge was frankly, inspiring, and students and staff alike were left with much to reflect upon. Thanks to both Professor Galloway for appearing, and to Mr Hilton-Dennis for organising.