Swammerdam, hoveling? Enige kanttekeningen bij de reputatie van een wetenschappelijk onderzoeker

Samenvatting

On the basis of a closer study of episodes in Johannes Swammerdam’s life (1637-1680), some corrections will be made on the slightly biased and still persistent image of the researcher. Swammerdam is usually portrayed as an isolated and slightly paranoid figure. Here, it will be shown how he self-consciously operated in some overlapping scientific communities. It will be demonstrated that Swammerdam actively was looking for patronage, and that he considered Cosimo III as a likely Maecenas. Moreover, it will be argued that Swammerdam’s well known priority dispute with Reinier de Graaf (1671-1673) was not caused by Swammerdam’s alleged ‘paranoia’, but the result of De Graaf’s ambitions.