The 1870s saw significant changes in the perspective and conservation of nature. In 1872, the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, was established in the United States, marking an important step in environmental protection. At the same time, the modern conservation movement emerged, in which personalities like John Muir played an important role, whose appreciation led to the creation of Yosemite National Park in 1872. However, industrialization posed significant threats to the landscape, highlighted by the publication in 1874 of George Perkins Marsh’s “Man and Nature”, which warned against uncritical human intervention. The decade also saw advances in scientific knowledge, with Charles Darwin publishing “Man and Nature” in 1871, further clarifying humanity’s relationship to the natural world. Amidst these developments, conflict over land use and resource research grew, leading to the development of future environmental policy and the movement to seek solutions through policy, to shape the ideals of human interaction with the environment. has developed.
The landscape of scientific communication was changing significantly in the 1870s, with the emergence of publications such as Nature, which were attempting to carve out a niche in a competitive market. In 1871, Macmillan expressed concern about the future of Nature, despite regretting that Lockyer had squandered a huge readership. Lockyer claimed 5,000 subscribers and 15,000 readers in 1870, but Macmillan’s skepticism was indicative of the challenges the magazine faced. Although Lockyer aimed for a wider circuit, in reality it fell short of expectations, with an estimated number of fewer than 200 subscribers in the first year. To strengthen its position, Nature set its price at fourpence, undercutting many of its weekly rivals. However, this alone was not enough to ensure its future, especially in view of the economic restrictions of production. The magazine allotted four pages per issue to advertisements, which covered half of the annual costs, indicating a precarious economic situation.
Lockyer played an important role in shaping the editorial direction of Nature, contributing 66 editorial articles from 1869 to 1919. These editorial articles, with contributions from more than 100 writers and sub-editors, formed the core of the publication’s content. Nature covered a variety of scientific topics, such as the HMS Challenger ocean exploration missions, transits of Venus, and eclipse campaigns. In addition to reporting scientific discoveries, the journal participated in recommendations and campaigns, such as research conservation, scientific reform, and the prominence of German science. At the same time, Nature also took an active interest in educational policies, especially when the British government was implementing the Education Act. Lockyer’s editorial approach sought to elevate more high-level scientific discussion beyond reporting and to promote awareness of relevant issues in the scientific community and the broader public sphere.
By 1878, Lockyer examined that scientific matters in the public sphere experienced a change and that it was clearly valuing the importance of school education and scientific research. He noted that everyday magazines were paying increasing attention to topics related to scientific discovery, research, and teaching, indicating a growing awareness among the public. Lockyer expressed satisfaction that through Nature, discussions about scientific endeavor were being disseminated and developing in its attractive form. This acceptance indicated the developing role of the journal Nature as a medium for scientific communication and public conversation. Despite the doubts and uncertainties that arose in its early years, Nature gradually established itself as a respected forum for the dissemination of scientific knowledge and controversy, contributing to scientific knowledge and social awareness of science.
The 1870s were an important era of scientific progress, as chronicled in the pages of Nature, which celebrated many amazing discoveries. These included the advent of the typewriter and bathometer, as well as discussions on innovations such as the telephone, duplex telegraphy, and the use of electricity for lighting. Despite the technical nature of these topics, Nature also catered to a wide readership, describing in detail amazing observations, such as dialogues about “cunning in a pigeon” and “a carnivorous swan”, as well as Discussions on entertaining experiments. This diverse material reflects a wide range of interests within the scientific community and beyond, showcasing both serious advances and heavier, more lighthearted aspects of scientific inquiry.
The contributors to Nature were eminent men in the scientific field, often from the privileged strata of Victorian society. However, the platform of publication was not free from public disagreements between these distinguished individuals. Notably, in 1873, there was a controversial face-off between physicists Peter Guthrie Tate and John Tyndall. Tate’s critical assessment of Tyndall’s pamphlet, “Principal Forbes and His Biographers,” ignited a controversy that spilled over into the publication’s conversation columns, giving rise to intense competition that spilled over into sour satisfaction. The controversy escalated with a harsh review of Tyndall’s work, “On the Forms of Water in Clouds and Rivers, Ice and Glaciers,” which spread beyond the confines of Nature and into other scientific journals, newspapers, and pamphlets. The impact of the conflict tarnished the reputation of Nature’s editor, Lockyer, who was accused of fanning the controversy.
At the rear, personal tensions emerged between leading figures in the scientific community. In an autobiography with T. H. Huxley, Tyndall expressed aversion to Lockyer, lamenting the condescending opinions he held of his former self. Similarly, Joseph Hooker expressed doubts about Lockyer, exposing an underlying current of discontent among the peers. These private sentiments primarily expressed the intimate cleavages and moral formations within the scientific community that occasionally spilled out into the public sphere, explaining the basic workings of scientific circles in the Victorian period. The 1870s were marked by scientific innovation and public discussion, as detailed in the pages of Nature. While the publication celebrated important advances, it also reflected the broader interests, and sometimes controversies, of the scientific community. Despite the layer of respectability, internal rivalries and private tensions occasionally bubbled into public view, highlighting the complex dynamics of scientific discussion in the Victorian period.
Natural, a publication, saw its initial international influence grow in the rise of external competitors. The French edition, La Nature, debuted in 1873, starting a trend. Subsequently, Norway proposed Naturen in 1877, coinciding with the launch of Italy’s La Natura. In history, the Italian edition adopted its English predecessor as the subtitle ‘Giornale di Cognizoni’, the “Illustrated Newspaper of Knowledge”. Belgium joined with Natura, printed in Ghent from 1883 to 1885, while the Netherlands gave De Nature, an illustrated monthly book printed from 1881 to 1894. Even beyond the borders of Europe, La Naturaleza originated in Mexico, which launched its second edition in 1887. The rise of this international edition illustrates the broad appeal and influence of Natural’s scientific publications, which transcend geographic boundaries and foster a global community of students and fans.
Amidst the expanse of nature, the personal travails of prominent figures such as Jeff Norman Lockyer cast their shadows. Lockyer, throughout his life, dealt with periods of stress and depression. In March 1877, he suffered his third breakdown, probably coming from the excessive pressures of his business duties, plus the burden of caring for his sick wife and son. Lockyer’s physician recognized the need for rest and recommended a period of rehabilitation abroad. This advice was responded to by Alexander of Macmillan, who provided Lockyer with financial support and hearty encouragement. The sum total of Macmillan’s excellent new creation, which came with financial support, revealed the firm’s genuine concern for Lockyer’s well-being, reflecting a supportive and nurturing relationship between creator and employee.
Lockyer’s journey to restoration was filled with personal sorrow. While he recovered his health, the loss of his son Frank in 1878, and the death of his wife Winifred the following year, plunged Lockyer into further grief. Left alone to handle the responsibility of caring for seven surviving children, Lockyer continued to face deep grief and enormous challenges. Yet, amidst these trials, the enduring support of colleagues like MacMillan became a beacon of hope and a symbol of consolation, highlighting the importance of a compassionate companion in times of adversity. Lockyer’s ability to cope with labored generosity reminds us of the human ability to endure deep loss and heal, bolstered by the kindness and solidarity of others.
When the organization was founded, it faced financial losses, which it had suffered since its first issue. However, this decision was taken about ten years later when Alexander Macmillan, recognizing the need for change, took the bold step and increased the price per issue from fourpence to sixpence. Along with this price adjustment, the magazine also got an expansion of 28 pages. This strategic move aims to ease the financial pressures of publishing while also accommodating the increasing flow of scientific contributions over time.
Lockyer, in a critical editorial marking what he terms a “new series”, heralded this change. He noted the journal’s changing status as an important forum for scientific discussion globally. Lockyer’s editorials often highlighted familiarity with the natural form of scientific communication throughout the world. This negated the need to expand the scope of the discussion to accommodate the growing influx of submissions being submitted from different corners of the world.
The response letter between Macmillan and Lockyer, dated to 1869, provides perspective on the views of the Perspective before the magazine’s initial decision. In his letter, Macmillan explains the establishment’s cautious approach, noting that they are not allowed to deviate from the established price of fourpence per issue. He described this price point as “completely adequate”, noting a balance between financial sustainability and readership access. However, the subsequent change in price per issue to sixpence per issue represented a pragmatic response to the evolving needs and challenges of publishing.
Essentially, this change marks an important episode in the Journal’s history, reflecting its adaptability and resilience in the face of financial adversity. This reaffirms Nature’s strong commitment as a vehicle for scientific exchange and innovation, which will guide it towards growing the leadership and impact of scientific publishing.