This is more question-begging than question answering, and I hope someone out there (with a strong nod in Will’s direction, probably…!) can help me out with this.
I have come under the impression that the common view is that the idea of bioterrorism first occurs explicitly in literature with the publication of War of the Worlds in 1898, and I was wondering whether there is any truth in this claim at all? I have a very strong hunch that there is a reference to an early form of biological terrorism (as opposed to biological *warfare*) in a text written prior to this, and I want to be certain just how significant that might be before I dive in, shouting “I’ve found out something important, new and ground-breaking!” with all the air in my lungs. If someone with more expertise in this area than I have could give me some indication as to the use of biological warfare/terrorism in literature in this period, that would be fantastic.
I await the flood of responses! Hope that the lucky ones amongst you are having a fabulous time at Event III.
Jamie Stark
Sorry Jamie – I don’t know the answer to your question. Hope you’ve been flooded by responses from others… I do know that Patrick Parrinder is very good on HG Wells. As for people to ask who are on the LitSciMed list – Martin Willis might be a good start (he’s written on science fiction before). You could always message him.
Comment by Sharon Ruston — July 14, 2010 @ 11:50 am