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Dr. A. Weber (Andreas)

Background

Andreas Weber is Postdoc researcher in the NWO-funded project Chemistry in everyday life headed by Prof. Lissa Roberts. Andreas has studied History, German language and literature at the Universities Leiden (MA History, 2005) and Bamberg (1. Staatsexamen, 2006). As PhD student at Leiden University (2007-2012), Andreas has focused on the intertwined histories of science and empire in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries Netherlands and its overseas territories in the Malay Archipelago. Key figure of his dissertation is the German naturalist and administrator Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt (1773-1854) whose career allows a fresh view on the co-evolutionary character of science, governance, and empire in the decennia around 1800. Andreas has also taught courses on Dutch history, colonial history, and history of science in colonial context. Moreover he has worked as temporary coordinator of the Leiden ENCOMPASS program from September 2010 until January 2011.

Current Research

The late Dutch Republic offers an intriguing case study to shed light on the relationship between science, governance, and entrepreneurism. In particular in the aftermath of the Fourth-Anglo Dutch War (1780-1784), administrators, policy makers, engaged citizens, and entrepreneurs were challenged to find innovative ways to manage the country’s domestic and overseas natural and human resources efficiently. Many of these projects were in one or the other way tied to chemistry. By situating such endeavors in their broader social, political, and economic context, the project will result in a monograph (working title: Managing Nature and Society in the Late Dutch Republic) which is scheduled to come off the press in early 2015.

Teaching

Forthcoming.

Networks

History of Science Society (HSS)

Gesellschaft für Überseegeschichte

GEWINA

Koninklijk Nederlands Historisch Genootschap (KNHG)

KITLV Leiden

Werkgroep 18de Eeuw

Werkgroep 19de Eeuw

Publications

Dissertation:

Weber, A. Hybrid Ambitions: Science, Governance, and Empire in the Career of Caspar C.G. Reinwardt (1773-1854). Leiden: Leiden University Press, 2012. Also available online: https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/18924

Articles:

Weber, A. “Sprache im 'Zwischenraum': Adriaan David Cornets de Groot jun. (1804-1829) als multilingualer Grenzgänger im zentraljavanischen Surakarta.” In Sprachgrenzen - Sprachkontakte - kulturelle Vermittler. Kommunikation zwischen Europäern und Außereuropäern (16.-20. Jahrhundert), ed. Mark Häberlein and Alexander Keese, 223-243. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag 2010.

Weber, A. “Encountering the Netherlands Indies: Caspar G.C. Reinwardt's Field Trip to the East (1816-1822).” Itinerario 1 (2009): 45-60.

Book Reviews:

Weber, A. Review of Der Niedergang des Chilesalpeters. Chemische Forschung, militärische Interessen, ökonomische Auswirkungen by Katharina Loeber (forthcoming)

Weber, A. Review of Zuivere en toegepaste wetenschap in de tropen by Wim van der Schoor (forthcoming)

Weber, A. Review of Der Humboldt von Java. Leben und Werk des Naturforschers Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn (1809-1864) by Renate Sternagel. Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde 1 (2012): 151-153.

Weber, A. Review of The floracrats: State-sponsored science and the failure of Enlightenment in Indonesia by Andrew Goss. Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde 2-3 (2011): 340-342.

Other publications:

Weber, A. and J. Gommans. “An Interview with Jürgen Osterhammel.“ Itinerario 3 (2011): 7-16.

Weiss, M. and A. Weber. “Martinus van Marum en Casper Georg Carl Reinwardt. Vriendschap, planten en musea.” Teylers magazijn (2011): 11-13.

Weber, A. and Henk Schulte Nordholt. „An Interview with Thee Kian Wie.“ Itinerario 1 (2010): 9-34. Reprinted in: Merajut sejarah ekonomi Indonesia: Essays in honour of Thee Kian Wie 75 years birthday, ed. Thomas Lindblad and Bambang Purwanto, 41-88. Yogyakarta: Ombak 2010.