A Scientist Rises

by D.W. Hall, H.W. Wessolowski (Illustrator), dana-allen (Narrator)

...who dreamed the high dream of the pure scientist, and who lived only to ferret out the secrets of nature, and harness them for his fellow men. from text

Play Duration: 00:17:51
Public Domain stories from Project Gutenberg, that are read by volunteers.
First published in Astounding Stories
Free download from LibriVox.org
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Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction

Audiobook

First published November 1, 1932

About the author

Desmond Winter Hall was an author and magazine editor. Mr. Hall's writings included "I Give You Oscar Wilde" (New American Library, 1965), a novel about the 19th-century poet, wit and dramatist. Mr. Hall contributed articles and fiction, including science fiction, to The Atlantic, Esquire, The Saturday Evening Post and other magazines. He also worked as a literary agent. He was an early editor of Mademoiselle magazine, and in the 1970's he acquired 16 Magazine, a monthly for teen-agers. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II. His 1935 marriage to Violet Pillault ended in divorce in 1943.

He wrote science fiction with Harry Bates under the following pen-names:
Anthony Gilmore
H.G. Winter

Reviews

[Chris Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Short science fiction collection 016 - LibriVox . An amusing yet cautionary tale on the dangers of scientific advances. Really fun and with a neat resolution. Particularly relevant now with AI apparently poised to make the power-poor all unemployed, with genetically engineered elites living long enough to watch the galaxy rotate as an overpopulated, habitat impoverished, Earth is mined for every last resource by nano robots. Whoops, sorry my rant/review is getting longer than the story 🤓! Also in 015

[Zen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story concerning the Perils of Scientific Advancement and whether a Scientist should take Moral Responsibility for the Inherent Destructive Power of their discovery.

Dr. Edgar Wesley has discovered the power to manipulate Atoms, expanding and contracting their potential for Beneficial or Destructive means. He of course realizes that Humanity, being an Immature Species, will mostly use this Discovery for Destructive means.

So he uses the discovery upon Himself, Sacrificing his Life and expanding his Body and Soul until it Disapates into the Earth's Atmosphere. And thus the essence of his Being, and his Disire for Humanity to become a Peaceful Species in the Future, will become a part of all Humanity through the Atoms of the Atmosphere that wiil become their Breath.

Nicely written story. And a Good Message to think upon.

I wonder if Frank Herbert was influenced by this story. This is basically the same thing that happens to Leto II when he dies at the end of The God Emperor of Dune.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raised to 3.5 stars.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

On a hot summer day in New York's Washington Square, a tall man, is seen coming from a house. He is a giant, and if were possible, he seems to be growing taller. Some of the neighbors recognize him as the scientist Dr. Edgar Wesley. He is soon forty feet tall and still growing.

He doesn't answer and question put to him. He's smiling sadly. He walks away, careful not to hurt anyone.

Another man comes from the scientist's house. Seems there was a ruckus there earlier.

This is a sad little tale.

Please read the full review here.

[Ralph McEwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A scientist take ultimate responsibility to safe guard man kind.