Renowned for his distinctive approach to science, Isle of Wight engineering geologist Bruce Denness has just released a new autobiography, ‘Why I Wrote Wot I Wrote’.
He will be signing copies of the book at The White Horse in Whitwell from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday, 5th August
As actress Joanna Lumley aptly summarises in her preface, Denness has always walked a precarious line between serious science and philosophical frivolity. This unique perspective has characterised his work at esteemed institutions such as the British Geological Survey and Newcastle University during the 1970s.
Yet, despite the gravitas of his research, Denness’ humour and love for finding the lighter side of things have often led to his work being overlooked. It is this paradoxical approach to his work that he unearths and explains in his autobiography, promising an intriguing read.
From humble beginnings to international expeditions
Born in 1942 on a farm on the Isle of Wight, Denness’ journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. The route took him from the tranquillity of Island life to England’s bustling mainland, the picturesque Caribbean, South America’s verdant landscapes and the mystical Far East before he found his way back to the Isle of Wight in 1984.
The diverse range of experiences gained during these years have significantly influenced Denness, shaping his unique worldview.
Interestingly, many of Denness’ published letters, primarily in The Telegraph and New Scientist, were shaped by these worldly experiences. It is also suggested that frequent visits to The White Horse Inn (Whitwell) may have played a role in their creation, hinting at the interplay between his scientific insights and life experiences.
A career of unconventional genius
Starting his career as a civil engineer, Denness later moved into the field of engineering geology. Working at both the British Geological Survey and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Denness’ professional journey is as varied as the projects he took on, from landslip prevention and stabilisation to coastal pollution prevention, climate forecasting, and optimising ecosystems.
Since the early 1980s, Denness has been an independent environmental consultant, leveraging his rich experience and novel approach to address a range of environmental concerns.
The silver lining of Lockdown
Following over 50 years of publishing scientific papers, Denness capitalised on the lockdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic. He took this opportunity to organise his somewhat disorganised filing system, stumbling upon a series of press cuttings of letters he had previously penned for various newspapers and scientific publications.
On rereading these, Denness realised that in order to truly understand them, they required additional background and context. This sparked the idea for his autobiography, where he provides this much-needed context for his written works.
A lighthearted journey through history
In ‘Why I Wrote Wot I Wrote’, Denness breaks free from the rigid rules of scientific writing. He cheerfully navigates through historical events, anecdotes, cliches, and his own memories, paying little attention to the grammatical rules that usually constrain him. The result is a book that promises not only to enlighten but also to entertain.
Denness found joy in the writing process and hopes his readers will find just as much pleasure in reading his work.
Find out more
For more information on Bruce Denness and his fascinating new autobiography, visit the Austin Macauley Publishers’ Website.
Image: Patrick Fore under CC BY 2.0
