Den vetenskapliga blicken : Lärda svenska resor i det tidigmoderna Europa

The early modern age was a period of great discoveries, formulation of new ideas and new methods for scientific inquiry. It was also a time of increased travel within Europe among nobility and people of learning. In this essay a number of Swedish learned men are followed in their journeys, through their own diaries and autobiographies, to centers of learning in England, France, Italy and other countries. The essay investigates how the journeys reflect the formation of academic and scientific institutions in Europe, such as scientific societies and journals, and experimental practices. It also studies the nature of personal interactions and the mechanics of international social networks, and the role of travelers in this context. It also looks at how Sweden, as a country in the periphery of Europe, could take advantage of this kind of international travel and become part of the new developments on the continent