James Burke (science historian)
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This article is about the science historian and TV producer. For other people of the same name see James Burke.
James Burke (born November 22, 1936) is a British science historian, author and television producer best known for his documentary television series focusing on the history of science and technology leavened with a sense of humor.
Born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland and educated at Oxford, he received his MA from Jesus College. Later he moved to Italy where he lectured at universities in Bologna and Urbino as well as at English schools in that country.
During that time he was engaged in the creation of an English-Italian dictionary and the publication of an art encyclopedia. After a period of broadcasting work in 1966, he moved to London to join the BBC's science section where he hosted and co-hosted a number of programs. He was fascinated by the possiblities of television and the potential to educate and entertain by making programs about science and technology.
Burke first made his name as a reporter on the popular and very long-running BBC science series, Tomorrow's World. He was the BBC's anchor and chief reporter on the Project Apollo missions. His most important work is a highly-acclaimed 10-part documentary series Connections (1979) that was first aired on the BBC, and subsequently on PBS channels in the US. The series was a great success for Burke. Later, it was shown in more than 50 countries and appeared in about 350 university and college curricula. Additionally, the book that followed the series was also a best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic.
Documentary series made by James Burke:
- The Real Thing on various aspects of perception
- The Neuron Suite on the human brain
- Connections
- The Day the Universe Changed
- Masters of Illusion on Renaissance painting
- After the Warming on the greenhouse effect
- Connections 2 (sometimes written Connections2)
- Connections 3 (or Connections3)
- Re-Connections on Burke's corpus of work
His books (in order):
- Tomorrow's World I
- Tomorrow's World II
- Connections
- The Day the Universe Changed
- Chances
- The Axemaker's Gift (with Robert Ornstein)
- The Pinball Effect
- The Knowledge Web
- Circles
- Twin Tracks
James Burke is the leading figure of the KnowledgeWeb Project.
In the closing scenes of The Day the Universe Changed, Burke suggested that a forthcoming revolution in communication and computer technology would allow people all over the world to exchange ideas and opinions instantaneously. Subsequent events seem to have proven him right.
In the closing episode of Connections 1(1979) he offers multiple choices for future develepmont of humanity and paints some grim consequences for the path we seem to have taken, namely to carry on what we always did.
External links
- A website devoted to James Burke and his work (http://www.palmersguide.com/jamesburke/)
- Chat for Burke's fans (http://www.palmersguide.com/jamesburke/yahoo_club_m.html)
- Burke's fans newsgroup (news://alt.fan.james-burke)
- IMDB-Entry on James Burke (http://imdb.com/name/nm0121708/)
- Documentary-Video (http://www.documentary-video.com/subject.cfm?sid=22) where Connections 1, 2 and 3 are available
- Burke's KnowledgeWeb Project (http://www.k-web.org/)
- A Spanish site devoted to James Burke and his work (http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/2352/burke1.htm)