Output details

Making and Marketing Medicine in Renaissance Florence

Shaw was post-doctoral researcher for the project. He made a substantial and significant contribution to the project, along with the co-author Prof. Welch. He was substantially involved in all stages including the design of the approach and methods, conducting primary archival research and data analysis, reviewing historiography, presenting conference papers, and writing and reviewing all the chapters.

This was a major research project involving analysis of extensive materials located in the Florentine archives. The complex accounts, detailing a wide range of commodities, measures and practices, were analysed using a relational database (over 16,000 entries), designed over two years. This innovative methodology unlocked the full potential of the sources, combining quantitative analysis with close socio-cultural readings to significantly revise understanding of the apothecary trade. Using interdisciplinary perspectives to examine the spaces, people and products involved, the project revealed the roles played by sociability, information networks and regulation in creating communities as well as in promoting health.