Old-timey leaders into science
There are an alarming number of decision makers making decisions these days with a tenuous grasp of biology. As a contrast, let's take a look at some of our scientifically-minded presidents of yore.
This is not an exhaustive list of contributions — just a few quick points.
George Washington inoculated his troops, even though it was illegal.
General Washington recognized that the smallpox epidemic was the “most dangerous enemy.” Despite inoculation being illegal and the fact that he’d lose his troops for weeks while they recovered, he went ahead and protected them anyhow. There was an immediate 17% reduction in smallpox deaths.
Doodles inspired by You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe
John Adams founded the American Academy for Arts and Sciences.
He was particularly proud of this achievement.
Thomas Jefferson believed “Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science.”
He dutifully tracked the weather for 50 years straight. He also approved the first patent in the U.S. — a method of making soap. Washington signed it.
Unsuccessful attempt to take a break from presidents. Seven showed up in Clean: The New Science of Skin by James Hamblin… including Harding — who was FILTHLY and no amount of soap could have changed that.
John Quincy Adams loved him some science.
He obsessed over measurements and adored the metric system. He believed “one language of weights and measures” could mean “universal peace.”
John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life by Paul C. Nagel
Theodore Roosevelt started his career as a teeny, tiny zoologist.
He collected animal specimens (alive and dead) from a very young age to study them.
A published ornithologist, he co-authored The Summer Birds of the Adirondacks in Franklin County, N.Y. And he was a staunch environmentalist and an adventurer. Honestly, this whole post could be about Teddy… but I’m going to stop here.
BONUS FACTS
These last two guys aren’t old-timey, but I’m squeezing them in anyhow.
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Richard Nixon tried to investigate sugar
Even though it was “generally recognized as safe,” Nixon asked the FDA to review it to be sure. Big Sugar wasn’t having that. They spent a ton of money on PR to avoid being “legislated out of existence.” Afterward, sugar consumption jumped and guess what? So did obesity and diabetes.
It’s out of my jurisdiction to assign reading and certainly you are not coming to this page for nutrition advice. However, if I could mandate reading, you would have to add The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes to your list. It’s freaking fascinated and loaded with all sorts of science (over my head) and history (ohmygod I ate that up like a bag of sugar-loaded chips). I cannot recommend this book enough.
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Jimmy Carter has a science degree.
In addition to his bachelor's degree in science, he studied theoretical nuclear physics at Union College. And get this — he helped prevent a nuclear meltdown in Canada. For real! How is this not something everyone knows about?!
As if that wasn’t enough, he’s working to this day to eradicate diseases and improve health around the world.
From A Full Life: Reflections at 90 by Jimmy Carter. This was one of the first few books I doodled. Not very many doodles. Lots of notetaking.
Comment (way, way) below if I left out your favorite old-timey scientific contribution.
For a more thorough (but still very much in-progress) list of my sources, check out my bibliography.
