A Professor, a President, and a Meteor: The Birth of American Science

The narrative revolves around the impact of a meteor crash in 1807 on the small village of Weston, Connecticut, which captivates Benjamin Silliman, a young chemistry professor at Yale. His thorough investigation not only elevates the status of American science on the global stage but also entangles him in political tensions with President Thomas Jefferson. This intersection of scientific inquiry and political conflict highlights the transformative power of curiosity and the evolving landscape of American intellectual life.