Booth, James Curtis, 1810-1888

James Curtis Booth was an analytical chemist and metallurgist who spent the bulk of his professional life as an employee of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, where he was Chief Melter and Refiner. He also taught chemistry and, partnered with Matthew Boye and later with Thomas Garretson, ran a successful analytical laboratory-cum-training school for chemists, the first institution of its kind to be opened in the United States.

James Curtis Booth (1810-1888), chemist, was appointed Melter and Refiner at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in 1849. He remained in this position for 39 years. He was also the state geologist of Delaware.

Booth received his A.B. from U. of Pennsylvania in 1829 and entered Rensselaer Institute. He later studied in Germany (1832-1834), Austria (1835), and England, before returning to Pennsylvania around 1836. While in Europe, Booth visited chemical laboratories and plants. In 1836, Booth established a chemical laboratory which later became known as Booth, Garrett, and Blair. Booth provided practical chemical instruction to students in his laboratory, including Campbell Morfit, Henry Charles Lea, William M. Uhler, J. F. Frazer, and others. In 1836 Booth also taught chemistry at the Franklin Institute, and was an assistant to H. D. Rogers on the Pennsylvania Geological Survey. In 1837 Booth was appointed the Delaware State Geologist, publishing that state's geological survey in 1841. Booth taught chemistry at Phila. Central High School and the Univ. of Pennsylvania. In addition to geological and teaching duties, Booth was the melter and refiner at the U. S. Mint in Phila., and patented a method of refining metal ore. Booth was a vice-president (1877) of the newly organized American Chemical Society, and president (1883-1885).