‘Something which every boy can learn’

The Knights of Science: Medicine and Mythology

“…Elly McCausland argues that, at the turn of the century, British and American adaptations of Arthurian adventure for children sought to 'promote and subtly redefine chivalric masculinity for the modern age'. 40 Modern conceptions of knightly boyhood were situated in dialogue with the 'soldier hero of adventure', which Graham Dawson identifies as 'one of the most durable and powerful forms of idealised masculinity'. 41 In these fictions, and in boy's groups like the Scouts, there is, McCausland argues, 'a curious juxtaposition between a modern vision of 'gentleman', divested of its class connotations, and adherence to a medieval value system far removed from contemporary British and American society'.…”

“…41 In these fictions, and in boy's groups like the Scouts, there is, McCausland argues, 'a curious juxtaposition between a modern vision of 'gentleman', divested of its class connotations, and adherence to a medieval value system far removed from contemporary British and American society'. 42 The formative role of medievalism and imperialism in this type of masculinity is made explicit by Baden-Powell's original desire to name the Scouts the 'Young Knights of the Empire'. 43 Parasitologists sought to emulate standards of medieval chivalry by emphasising not only appetite for adventure, but the more stoic virtues of duty, perseverance, and self-sacrifice.…”