Richard Bellon

Richard Bellon is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University, affiliated with both the Department of History and Lyman Briggs College. He specializes in the history of 19th-century science, focusing on Victorian Britain and the intersection of scientific inquiry with moral and intellectual virtues. His research explores figures like Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, and Joseph Hooker, analyzing themes such as scientific labor practices, interdisciplinary education, and the reconciliation of science with faith.

His 2014 book, A Sincere and Teachable Heart, redefined understandings of authority in 18th- and 19th-century British intellectual life through the lens of self-denying virtues like patience and humility. His work has been recognized with the 2013 Derek Price/Rob Webster Prize from the History of Science Society.

Bellon teaches a broad range of courses, including introductory STEM history, Victorian Britain seminars, and graduate-level history of biology. He co-directs a study-abroad program in London focused on Victorian science, collaborating with biologist Jim Smith. His pedagogical innovations include the BRAID initiative, promoting interdisciplinary curriculum design.

Beyond academia, Bellon is a long-suffering fan of 1970s music and maintains a commitment to bridging disciplinary divides through collaborative scholarship.