Agassiz, Alexander
({{Contracted}}) |
Laura Brooks (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Contracted}} | {{Contracted}} | ||
| + | {{epname|Agassiz, Alexander}} | ||
[[Image:Alexander Agassiz pers0118.jpg|thumb|right|Alexander Agassiz]] | [[Image:Alexander Agassiz pers0118.jpg|thumb|right|Alexander Agassiz]] | ||
| − | '''Alexander Emanuel Agassiz''' ( | + | '''Alexander Emanuel Agassiz''' (December 17, 1835 – March 27, 1910), was an [[United States|American]] scientist and engineer. He became well known for his work in marine [[zoology]], [[oceanography]], and [[mining]]. Agassiz was influential in the development of modern systematic zoology, and made important studies of the ocean bed. |
| − | + | His name is honored with the Alexander Agassiz Medal established in 1913. The award is given by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for an original contribution in the science of oceanography. It was established by [[John Murray|Sir John Murray]] in honor of his friend Alexander Agassiz. | |
| + | ==Early Life== | ||
| + | Agassiz was born in [[Neuchâtel]], [[Switzerland]]. The son of [[Louis Agassiz]] and his first wife. The elder Agassiz married [[Elizabeth Cabot Agassiz]], after the death of his first wife. The family emigrated to the [[United States]] in 1849. He graduated at [[Harvard University]] in 1855, subsequently studying [[engineering]] and [[chemistry]], and taking the degree of [[bachelor of science]] at the [[Lawrence scientific school]] of the same institution in 1857; and in 1859 became an assistant in the [[United States Coast Survey]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Career== | ||
Thenceforward he became a specialist in marine [[ichthyology]], but devoted much time to the investigation, superintendence and exploitation of [[mining|mine]]s. | Thenceforward he became a specialist in marine [[ichthyology]], but devoted much time to the investigation, superintendence and exploitation of [[mining|mine]]s. | ||
| − | [[E. J. Hulbert]], a friend of Agassiz's brother-in-law, [[Quincy Adams Shaw]], had discovered a rich copper lode known as the [[Calumet conglomerate]] on the [[Keweenaw Peninsula]] [[Lake Superior]] in [[Michigan]]. He persuaded them, along with a group of friends, to purchase a controlling interest in the mines, which later became known as the [[Calumet and Hecla Mining Company]] based in [[Calumet, Michigan]]. Up until the summer of | + | [[E. J. Hulbert]], a friend of Agassiz's brother-in-law, [[Quincy Adams Shaw]], had discovered a rich copper lode known as the [[Calumet conglomerate]] on the [[Keweenaw Peninsula]] [[Lake Superior]] in [[Michigan]]. He persuaded them, along with a group of friends, to purchase a controlling interest in the mines, which later became known as the [[Calumet and Hecla Mining Company]] based in [[Calumet, Michigan]]. Up until the summer of 1866, Agassiz worked as an assistant in the museum of natural history that his father founded at Harvard. That summer, he took a trip to see the mines for himself and he afterwards became treasurer of the enterprise. |
| − | Over the winter of 1866 and early | + | Over the winter of 1866 and early 1867, mining operations began to falter due to the difficulty of extracting copper from the conglomerate. Hulbert had sold his interests in the mines and had moved on to other ventures. But Agassiz refused to give up hope for the mines, and he returned to the mines in March of 1867 with his wife and young son. At that time, Calumet was a remote settlement, virtually inaccessible during the winter and very far removed from civilization even during the summer. With insufficient supplies at the mines, Agassiz struggled to maintain order, while back in Boston, Shaw was saddled with debt and the collapse of their interests. Shaw obtained financial assistance from John Simpkins, the selling agent for the enterprise to continue operations. |
| − | Agassiz continued to live at Calumet, making gradual progress in stablizing the mining operations, such that he was able to leave the mines under the control of a general manager and return to Boston in | + | Agassiz continued to live at Calumet, making gradual progress in stablizing the mining operations, such that he was able to leave the mines under the control of a general manager and return to Boston in 1868 before winter closed navigation. |
| − | The mines continued to prosper and in May, | + | The mines continued to prosper and in May, 1871, several mines were consolidated to form the [[Calumet and Hecla Mining Company]] with Shaw as its first president. In August, 1871, Shaw "retired" to the board of directors and Agassiz became president, a position he held until his death. |
Agassiz was a major factor in the mine's continued success and visited the mines twice a year. He innovated by installing a giant engine, known as the Superior, which was able to lift 24 tons of rock from a depth of 4,000 feet. He also built a railroad and dredged a channel to navigable waters. However, after a time the mines did not require his full-time year-round attention and he returned to his interests in natural history at Harvard. | Agassiz was a major factor in the mine's continued success and visited the mines twice a year. He innovated by installing a giant engine, known as the Superior, which was able to lift 24 tons of rock from a depth of 4,000 feet. He also built a railroad and dredged a channel to navigable waters. However, after a time the mines did not require his full-time year-round attention and he returned to his interests in natural history at Harvard. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 24: | ||
Out of his copper fortune, he gave some $500,000 to Harvard for the museum of comparative [[zoology]] and other purposes. | Out of his copper fortune, he gave some $500,000 to Harvard for the museum of comparative [[zoology]] and other purposes. | ||
| − | In | + | In 1875 he surveyed [[Lake Titicaca]], [[Peru]], examined the [[copper]] mines of Peru and [[Chile]], and made a collection of Peruvian antiquities for the [[Museum of Comparative Zoology]], of which he was [[curator]] from 1874 to 1885. He assisted [[Charles Wyville Thomson]] in the examination and classification of the collections of the ''[[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]'' exploring expedition, and wrote the ''Review of the Echini'' (2 vols., 1872–1874) in the reports. |
| − | Between | + | Between 1877 and 1880 he took part in the three [[dredging]] expeditions of the steamer ''Blake'' of the Coast Survey, and presented a full account of them in two volumes (1888). |
| − | Of his other writings on marine zoology, most are contained in the bulletins and memoirs of the museum of comparative zoology; but he published in | + | Of his other writings on marine zoology, most are contained in the bulletins and memoirs of the museum of comparative zoology; but he published in 1865 (with [[Elizabeth Cary Agassiz]], his step-mother) ''Seaside Studies in Natural History'', a work at once exact and stimulating, and in 1871 ''Marine Animals of [[Massachusetts]] Bay''. |
He served as a president of the [[National Academy of Sciences]], which since 1913 has awarded the [[Alexander Agassiz Medal]] in his memory. | He served as a president of the [[National Academy of Sciences]], which since 1913 has awarded the [[Alexander Agassiz Medal]] in his memory. | ||
| − | He died in | + | He died in 1910 onboard the [[SS Adriatic|SS ''Adriatic'']]. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
== Works == | == Works == | ||
| − | * (with | + | * (with Elizabeth Cary Agassiz) ''Seaside Studies in Natural History'' (1865) |
* ''North American Acalephs'', (1865) | * ''North American Acalephs'', (1865) | ||
| − | * '' | + | * ''Marine Animals of Massachusetts Bay'' (1817) |
| − | * ''Revision of the Echini'' (2 vols., | + | * ''Revision of the Echini'' (2 vols., 1872–1874) |
| − | * ''North American Starfishes'', ( | + | * ''North American Starfishes'', (1877) |
| − | * ''Report on the Echini of the Challenger Expedition'', ( | + | * ''Report on the Echini of the Challenger Expedition'', (1881) |
* ''Explorations of Lake Titicaca'' | * ''Explorations of Lake Titicaca'' | ||
* ''List of the Echinoderms'' | * ''List of the Echinoderms'' | ||
| − | * ''Three Cruises of the ''Blake ( | + | * ''Three Cruises of the ''Blake (1888) |
* ''Pacific Coral Reefs'' | * ''Pacific Coral Reefs'' | ||
* ''Coral Reefs of the Maldives'' | * ''Coral Reefs of the Maldives'' | ||
* ''Panamic Deep Sea Echini'' | * ''Panamic Deep Sea Echini'' | ||
| − | == | + | ==References== |
| − | * | + | *Dupree, Hunter. ''Alexander Agassiz''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons 1970. ISBN 0684101149 |
| − | + | *Elman, Robert. ''First in the field: America's pioneering naturalists''. New York: Mason/Charter 1977. ISBN 9780884054993 | |
| − | + | *Tiner, John Hudson. ''100 scientists who shaped world history''. 100 series. San Mateo, Calif: Bluewood Bks 2000. ISBN 9780912517391 | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ==External Links== | |
| − | + | *[http://www.redwoodlibrary.org/notables/a_agassiz.htm Alexander Agassiz] Retrieved September 16, 2007. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Category:History and biography]] | [[Category:History and biography]] | ||
[[Category:Biography]] | [[Category:Biography]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Physical sciences]] | ||
{{credit|136103738}} | {{credit|136103738}} | ||
Revision as of 16:57, 16 September 2007
Alexander Emanuel Agassiz (December 17, 1835 – March 27, 1910), was an American scientist and engineer. He became well known for his work in marine zoology, oceanography, and mining. Agassiz was influential in the development of modern systematic zoology, and made important studies of the ocean bed.
His name is honored with the Alexander Agassiz Medal established in 1913. The award is given by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for an original contribution in the science of oceanography. It was established by Sir John Murray in honor of his friend Alexander Agassiz.
Early Life
Agassiz was born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The son of Louis Agassiz and his first wife. The elder Agassiz married Elizabeth Cabot Agassiz, after the death of his first wife. The family emigrated to the United States in 1849. He graduated at Harvard University in 1855, subsequently studying engineering and chemistry, and taking the degree of bachelor of science at the Lawrence scientific school of the same institution in 1857; and in 1859 became an assistant in the United States Coast Survey.
Career
Thenceforward he became a specialist in marine ichthyology, but devoted much time to the investigation, superintendence and exploitation of mines. E. J. Hulbert, a friend of Agassiz's brother-in-law, Quincy Adams Shaw, had discovered a rich copper lode known as the Calumet conglomerate on the Keweenaw Peninsula Lake Superior in Michigan. He persuaded them, along with a group of friends, to purchase a controlling interest in the mines, which later became known as the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company based in Calumet, Michigan. Up until the summer of 1866, Agassiz worked as an assistant in the museum of natural history that his father founded at Harvard. That summer, he took a trip to see the mines for himself and he afterwards became treasurer of the enterprise.
Over the winter of 1866 and early 1867, mining operations began to falter due to the difficulty of extracting copper from the conglomerate. Hulbert had sold his interests in the mines and had moved on to other ventures. But Agassiz refused to give up hope for the mines, and he returned to the mines in March of 1867 with his wife and young son. At that time, Calumet was a remote settlement, virtually inaccessible during the winter and very far removed from civilization even during the summer. With insufficient supplies at the mines, Agassiz struggled to maintain order, while back in Boston, Shaw was saddled with debt and the collapse of their interests. Shaw obtained financial assistance from John Simpkins, the selling agent for the enterprise to continue operations.
Agassiz continued to live at Calumet, making gradual progress in stablizing the mining operations, such that he was able to leave the mines under the control of a general manager and return to Boston in 1868 before winter closed navigation.
The mines continued to prosper and in May, 1871, several mines were consolidated to form the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company with Shaw as its first president. In August, 1871, Shaw "retired" to the board of directors and Agassiz became president, a position he held until his death.
Agassiz was a major factor in the mine's continued success and visited the mines twice a year. He innovated by installing a giant engine, known as the Superior, which was able to lift 24 tons of rock from a depth of 4,000 feet. He also built a railroad and dredged a channel to navigable waters. However, after a time the mines did not require his full-time year-round attention and he returned to his interests in natural history at Harvard.
Out of his copper fortune, he gave some $500,000 to Harvard for the museum of comparative zoology and other purposes.
In 1875 he surveyed Lake Titicaca, Peru, examined the copper mines of Peru and Chile, and made a collection of Peruvian antiquities for the Museum of Comparative Zoology, of which he was curator from 1874 to 1885. He assisted Charles Wyville Thomson in the examination and classification of the collections of the Challenger exploring expedition, and wrote the Review of the Echini (2 vols., 1872–1874) in the reports.
Between 1877 and 1880 he took part in the three dredging expeditions of the steamer Blake of the Coast Survey, and presented a full account of them in two volumes (1888).
Of his other writings on marine zoology, most are contained in the bulletins and memoirs of the museum of comparative zoology; but he published in 1865 (with Elizabeth Cary Agassiz, his step-mother) Seaside Studies in Natural History, a work at once exact and stimulating, and in 1871 Marine Animals of Massachusetts Bay.
He served as a president of the National Academy of Sciences, which since 1913 has awarded the Alexander Agassiz Medal in his memory.
He died in 1910 onboard the SS Adriatic.
Works
- (with Elizabeth Cary Agassiz) Seaside Studies in Natural History (1865)
- North American Acalephs, (1865)
- Marine Animals of Massachusetts Bay (1817)
- Revision of the Echini (2 vols., 1872–1874)
- North American Starfishes, (1877)
- Report on the Echini of the Challenger Expedition, (1881)
- Explorations of Lake Titicaca
- List of the Echinoderms
- Three Cruises of the Blake (1888)
- Pacific Coral Reefs
- Coral Reefs of the Maldives
- Panamic Deep Sea Echini
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Dupree, Hunter. Alexander Agassiz. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons 1970. ISBN 0684101149
- Elman, Robert. First in the field: America's pioneering naturalists. New York: Mason/Charter 1977. ISBN 9780884054993
- Tiner, John Hudson. 100 scientists who shaped world history. 100 series. San Mateo, Calif: Bluewood Bks 2000. ISBN 9780912517391
External Links
- Alexander Agassiz Retrieved September 16, 2007.
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
