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Abstract
Through the lens of emergent laws of climatology developed to advance the scientific foundations and popular reach of practical meteorology in the nineteenth century, this article examines the checks on population and the global movement of people linked to reoccurring climate patterns and abnormal climatic events. Meteorological research contributed to debates within political economy and the public health movement, and to the disputed moral rationale for poor law reform. Scientific authority for this new analysis rested on a network of personal, religious, and professional links between T.R. Malthus, Thomas Chalmers, Francis Jeffrey, David Brewster, James D. Forbes, James Stark, Edwin Chadwick and William Pulteney Alison. The work of climate determinists argued that several causations were simultaneously affecting the nation’s vital statistics. The potential advantage to health from moving on a permanent basis to a more salubrious climate was explored. Adding further to the conundrum of colonisation, and the case for assisted migration, the laws of climatology offered reasons why any migrants pulled into parts of urban and Highland Scotland by freed resource – the vacuum effect – would still experience a positive Malthusian check on their life chances.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 76-98 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | Northern Scotland |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2024 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Population Checks and Natural Laws: Malthus, climate determinism, and emigration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
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Environmental Histories of Scotland: Mapping Out A Way Forward
Morton, G. (Participant)
16 Apr 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Scottish American History Forum
Morton, G. (Speaker)
13 Jul 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Scottish Politics in the Age of Union, c1700-1945
Morton, G. (Participant)
23 Jul 2024 → 24 Jul 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference