Science and Empire in Eastern Europe: Imperial Russia and the Habsburg Monarchy in the 19th Century

The essays in this volume present a nuanced analysis of the development of scientific fields and institutions in Eastern Europe during the long 19th century (1789-1914).In 19th century Western Europe science often developed in the context of emerging national states. In Eastern and East-Central Europe, however, until World War I science operated in the imperial framework of the Habsburg and Tsarist Empires. The imperial characteristics of these states (such as multinationality, linguistic diversity, and a pronounced polarity between centers and peripheries) created specific conditions for the sciences. Taking this observation as a starting point, this volume addresses the interplay of science and empire in Imperial Russia and the Habsburg Monarchy in a comparative framework.