Russell McCormmach as a teacher

Abstract

The author gives a personal tribute of Russell McCormmach as a scholar and a person. From 1972 to 1976, McCormmach9s writings, notably his introductions to the HSPS, served as unique inspiration for the author9s .rst grapplings with the history of science in far-away Norway. From 1976 to 1984 the author was a student at Johns Hopkins University, with McCormmach as dissertation adviser until he left Hopkins in 1983. Because the doctoral research was carried out for the most part in Scandinavia, McCormmach9s advice is to a great extent preserved in personal letters, which are quoted at some length. Ever since, the author and McCormmach have maintained a close, if sporadic, relationship. While his approach is personal, the author hopes to convey a general sense of McCormmach9s unique qualities as a writer, editor and teacher, as well as a human being.