The Republic of Letters, a 17th and 18th-century scholarly network, is being digitally mapped by Stanford University. This intellectual community, which predated the internet by 300 years, is considered the foundation of today’s scientific community. The network was not limited by geography, religion, or politics, and included some 600 correspondents across Europe and beyond, exchanging some 50,000 letters. The digital project, Mapping the Republic of Letters, visualises this correspondence, revealing patterns and connections. The map shows Paris as the hub, with John Locke, Voltaire, and Benjamin Franklin among the most active participants. The project also highlights gender disparity, with only 6% of correspondents being women, mostly located in Paris and London. The map offers an enlightening perspective on the history of knowledge exchange and the development of modern science.
Go to source article: https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/republic-of-letters/