This project explores the politics of collective memory or commemoration in science by comparing the earliest anniversary celebrations of American, British and French molecular biologists. Commemorative events are viewed as rites of succession, in which the passing generation gives place to the upcoming elite. Also of concern is the way that scientists' individual, private and even inconsequential memories are transformed into collective, public and politically-useful commemorations. Considerable attention will be given to the characteristics of those persons and events that have been excluded from commemoration. To accomplish these ends I will examine published and unpublished documents, including correspondence of key figures, and will conduct oral histories and ethnographic field studies of recent commemorative events.
