Literary scholars have become increasingly aware of the ways in which nineteenth-century authors' encounters with science were shaped by science writings aimed at non-specialist readerships. During the nineteenth century, many texts were published in which an important aim was to communicate and reflect on scientific knowledge for general readers: that is, for readerships outside specialized scientific communities. nature and boundaries of scientific elites were continually shifting and contested, varying depending on the science, geographical space and social context. The concept of science popularization has limited generic value, but it also poses problems from a historical perspective. It has a basic usefulness as an umbrella category that was in use by booksellers, authors, and readers from the 1820s onwards. The general exclusion of science writing from 'literature' matters, because most nineteenth-century texts outside the literary cordon are not studied or read at all.