Peckham, Stephen Farnum, 1839-1918

Stephen Peckham was a professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Minnesota from 1874-1880.

From the description of Stephen Peckham papers, 1874-1880. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63301089

Stephen Farnum Peckham, a chemist, was interested in the oil refining process, and particularly the occurrence of petroleum in Southern California.

From the description of Stephen Farnum Peckham papers, 1865-1881. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122369443

Stephen Peckham was born on March 26, 1836 in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Brown University, and was a veteran of the Civil War. Known as one of the leading chemists in America, Peckham was said to have located the first oil well in California. He was appointed to the chair of chemistry at Washington College in Pennsylvania in 1869. A year later he held the same chair at Maine State College. Later he was appointed to the chair of chemistry at the University of Minnesota. He was an authority on bitumen and the author of many scientific works.

Peckham passed away in 1918 in Brooklyn.

From the guide to the Stephen Farnham Peckham papers, 1874-1880, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])