Harry Potter and Medicine

The LSUHSC-NO Libraries is pleased to host the National Libraries of Medicine’s traveling exhibit, Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine.  The exhibition will be at the Isché Library from September 1 – 18 and at the Dental Library from September 21 – October 6. Enjoy the HP-bibliography of items we have put on display.

“IN 1997, BRITISH AUTHOR J. K. ROWLING INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO HARRY POTTER AND A LITERARY PHENOMENON WAS BORN.  Millions of readers have followed Harry to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he discovers his heritage, encounters new plants and animals, and perfects his magical abilities. Although a fantasy story, the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science, including alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy. Incorporating the work of several 15th- and 16th-century thinkers, the seven-part series examines important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice, and the responsibility that comes with power. This exhibition, using materials from the National Library of Medicine, explores Harry Potter’s world and its roots in Renaissance magic, science, and medicine.”1

The Exhibition Program at the National Library of Medicine strives to promote greater understanding and awareness of how the past informs the present and can shape the future by creating lively and informative exhibitions and educational resources that enhance awareness of and appreciation for the collections of the National Library of Medicine. These exhibitions and educational resources engage diverse audiences and explore a variety of topics in the history of medicine.

 

1.  National Library of Medicine. Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine. Bethesda, MD. [cited 1 Sept 2015]. Available at:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/harrypottersworld/exhibition.html.