Booth, James Curtis, 1810-1888

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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.

From the description of Papers of James Curtis Booth, 1785-1944 (bulk 1830-1895) (Chemical Heritage Foundation). WorldCat record id: 62406222

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.

From the description of Booth, James Curtis, 1810-1888 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10572874

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).

From the description of Papers pertaining to chemistry, 1828-1888. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 82179230

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Records of the U.S. Mint. 1792 - 2007. Correspondence of James C. Booth National Archives at Philadelphia
creatorOf Booth, James Curtis, 1810-1888. Papers pertaining to chemistry, 1828-1888. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Smallwood Collection, 1801-1887 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Booth, James Curtis, 1810-1888. Letter to Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, 1843. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IId, 1837-1844 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Morfit, Campbell, 1820-1897. Letters, 1816-1857. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIg, 1887-1891 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn John Fries Frazer papers, 1834-1871, 1834-1871 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Wetherill, Charles Mayer, 1825-1871. Papers : mostly pertaining to chemistry, 1837-1886. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Frazer, John Fries, 1812-1872. Papers, 1834-1871. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Gesner, Abraham, 1797-1864. Geological reports, New-Brunswick, Maine, Virginie, Delaware. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.). Committee on Science and Arts. Records, 1824-1900 [microform]. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Booth, James Curtis, 1810-1888. Papers of James Curtis Booth, 1785-1944 (bulk 1830-1895) Chemical Heritage Foundation, Othmer Library of Chemical History
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Chemical Society. corporateBody
associatedWith American Philosophical Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Amyntor. person
associatedWith Bolton, Henry Carrington, 1843-1903. person
associatedWith Booth, Ann. person
associatedWith Booth, Garrett, and Blair. corporateBody
associatedWith Booth, George. person
associatedWith Booth, Laurette. person
associatedWith Booth, Margaret. person
associatedWith Booth, Margaret Cardeza. person
associatedWith Carson, Marian S. , person
associatedWith Faraday, Michael, 1791-1867. person
associatedWith Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.). Committee on Science and Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith Frazer, John Fries, 1812-1872. person
associatedWith Lea, Henry Charles, 1825-1909. person
associatedWith Mint of the United States. corporateBody
associatedWith Morfit, Campbell, 1820-1897. person
associatedWith Ridgway, Thomas S. person
associatedWith Smallwood, W. M. (William Martin), 1873-1949 person
associatedWith University of Pennsylvania. corporateBody
associatedWith Wetherill, Charles Mayer, 1825-1871. person
associatedWith Wöhler, Friedrich, 1800-1882. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Subject
Archival materials
Chemical Education
Chemical laboratories
Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry, Technical
Cobalt mines and mining
Gardening
Geology
Geology
Gold
Metallurgy
Metals
Poetry
Scientific apparatus and instruments
Silver
Smelting
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1810-07-28

Death 1888-03-21

German,

English

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