Jan. 9, 2014
OSU-CHS to feature Harry Potter display on Renaissance science, medicine
The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Medical Library will host the National Library of Medicine's traveling display, Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine in Founders Hall from Jan. 13 through Feb. 22.
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. The traveling display explores Harry Potter’s world and the history of science, including the works of 15th- and 16th-century thinkers.
“The display highlights aspects of the Harry Potter series and compares them to the history of science and medicine,” said Melissa Kash-Holley, reference and instruction services librarian at the OSU-CHS.
Sections of the display include potions, monsters, herbology, magical creatures, fantastic beasts and immortality. The ideas of Nicolas Flamel, Konrad Gesner, Jacob Meydenback Ambroise Paré, Paracelsus and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim are featured.
The display was developed and produced by the United States National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
To view the display online, visit the NIH website.