Do historians or chemists write better history of chemistry? (1).

This paper was the response to a challenge set me as the senior historian of chemistry (in age) serving on the ACS National Historic Chemical Landmarks Committee. The challenge was to reflect on the history of chemistry in terms of the question posed in the paper’s title. Although there is a “tongue in cheek” quality to the question, it also has its serious side and it challenged me. I have to say that, until two weeks before my talk, I had no idea how I would respond. Then I had my epiphany and the result is the following historiographical reflection.