Eaton, Amos, 1776-1842
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Eaton, Amos, 1776-1842
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Eaton, Amos, 1776-1842
Eaton, Amos
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Eaton, Amos
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Biographical History
Parker Cleaveland worked as a mineralogist and geologist.
Born in Chatham, New York, Amos Eaton graduated from Williams College in 1799 and then studied law in New York City. He was admitted to the state bar in 1802. After imprisonment from 1811 to 1815, Eaton refocused his attention on science and botany. His pragmatic concern was the "application of science to the common purposes of life." From 1818 to 1824, Eaton was an itinerant lecturer at schools in New England and New York. In 1824 he helped found the Rensselaer Institute in Albany, where he remained as senior professor for the rest of his life.
Amos Eaton joined the New York Bar in 1802 and subsequently established himself as a lawyer and land agent in Catskill, New York. In 1810 Eaton taught what is considered to be the first popular course in botany in the United States. Shortly afterward, Eaton was imprisoned for forgery, and then pardoned in 1815. He relocated to New Haven, Connecticut and studied science under Benjamin Silliman at Yale. In 1817 Eaton began teaching natural sciences at Williams College, where he continued to give public courses as an itinerant lecturer. In the 1820s Stephen Van Rensselaer financed a series of geological surveys of New York State, furthering Eaton's reputation in both field work and scholarship. When Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School in 1824, he appointed Eaton senior professor. At Rensselaer, Eaton became a leader in scientific education by combining his unique teaching methods of laboratory experimentation and field observation. He was also an advocate of advanced education for women, although he was unsuccessful in his efforts to integrate women into the collegiate program. Eaton remained at Rensselaer until his death in 1842.
Botanist and senior professor of the Rensselaer Institute (later Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
Scientist and educator, of Troy, N.Y.
Botanist, geologist and professor at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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External Related CPF
https://viaf.org/viaf/15547874
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n84803095
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n84803095
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q474250
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Education
Albany Institute
Albany, New York
Business enterprises
Chemistry
Universities and colleges
Education, Higher
Educators
Electricity
Electromagnetism
Employment references
Erie Canal (N.Y.)
Forensic Medicine
Forensic Medicine
Geological surveys
Geology
Geology
Herbaria
Lectures, Popular
Minerals
Natural history
Recommendations For Positions
Scientific organizations
Scientific publications
Scientists
Surveys And Explorations, General
Nationalities
Activities
Occupations
Botanists
College teachers
Geologists
Legal Statuses
Places
New York (State)--West Troy
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AssociatedPlace
New York (State)
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AssociatedPlace
Troy (N.Y.)
as recorded (not vetted)
AssociatedPlace
New York (State)
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AssociatedPlace
Rensselaer Institute
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AssociatedPlace
New York (State)
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AssociatedPlace
New York (State)
as recorded (not vetted)
AssociatedPlace
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<conventionDeclaration><citation>VIAF</citation></conventionDeclaration>