Humanities and Arts
Plague, Crisis, and Scientific Authority during the London Caterpillar Outbreak of 1782
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John Lidwell-Durnin
Abstract
In the summer of 1780, anti-Catholic riots led by Lord George Gordon in London left hundreds dead and stretches of the city burnt and destroyed. Eighteen months later, during a tense period in the city's history, London was invaded by brown-tail moth caterpillars. The metropolis and surrounding countryside disappeared behind the tents and nests of the insects, prompting widespread fear of famine and plague. With the memory of the riots still fresh, philanthropists such as Jonas Hanway and entomologists like William Curtis sought to assuage the public's fear, insisting that the brown-tail moth outbreak was part of the normal operations of nature, that the infestation bore no danger to the public, and that efforts to alarm the public or describe them as dangerous were contemptuous. At the same time, the conjurer and philosopher Gustavus Katterfelto, performing in the city, sought to profit from the public agitation, developing spectacles and performances that promised the insects would soon deliver famine, plague, and ruin on the city. This article examines the intersection of scientific authority, public fear, and performance, showing that the outbreak placed tremendous stress on the relationship between scientific authority and security in the metropolis.
Key Questions
What was the brown-tail moth outbreak of 1781, and why was it significant?
The brown-tail moth outbreak of 1781 was a massive infestation of caterpillars that engulfed London and its surrounding countryside. It caused widespread fear of famine and plague, occurring just 18 months after the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots, which had left the city in a state of tension and destruction.
How did the public react to the brown-tail moth outbreak?
The public reacted with fear and panic, fueled by memories of the recent riots and the visible devastation caused by the caterpillars. Many feared that the infestation would lead to famine, plague, and further ruin.
How did scientists and philanthropists respond to the outbreak?
Scientists like William Curtis and philanthropists like Jonas Hanway sought to calm public fears by asserting that the outbreak was a natural phenomenon and posed no real danger. They criticized those who spread alarm as contemptuous and irresponsible.
What role did Gustavus Katterfelto play during the outbreak?
Gustavus Katterfelto, a conjurer and philosopher, capitalized on public fear by staging performances and spectacles that warned of impending famine, plague, and ruin caused by the caterpillars. His actions heightened public anxiety and contrasted sharply with the efforts of scientists to reassure the public.
How did the outbreak affect the relationship between scientific authority and public security?
The outbreak placed significant stress on the relationship between scientific authority and public security. While scientists tried to reassure the public, figures like Katterfelto exploited fear, highlighting the challenges of maintaining trust in scientific expertise during times of crisis.
What was the broader context of the outbreak in post-riot London?
The outbreak occurred in a city still recovering from the Gordon Riots of 1780, which had left hundreds dead and parts of London destroyed. The memory of the riots amplified public fear and made the outbreak seem like another potential catastrophe.
How did the outbreak reflect the tension between science and spectacle?
The outbreak highlighted the tension between scientific efforts to explain natural phenomena and the sensationalism of figures like Katterfelto, who used fear and spectacle to attract attention and profit from public anxiety.
What does the article reveal about public trust in scientific authority?
The article reveals the fragility of public trust in scientific authority during times of crisis. Despite efforts by scientists to reassure the public, fear and sensationalism often overshadowed rational explanations.
How does the article contribute to understanding 18th-century London?
The article provides insight into the social and psychological climate of 18th-century London, particularly how natural phenomena and public fear intersected with scientific authority and performance in a post-riot context.
