Antisell, Thomas, 1817-1893

U.S. physician, geologist and chemist.

From the description of Thomas Antisell letter, 1849, Jan. 26. (Duke University). WorldCat record id: 34767621

Thomas Antisell was born in 1817 in Dublin, Ireland, where he was educated as a physician and a chemist. He immigrated to New York City in November, 1848 and opened a medical office and a chemistry laboratory. In 1854 he entered the government as a geologist on Lieutenant John G. Parke's Pacific railroad survey and made a reconnaissance of parts of California and Arizona. Tracings, notes and clippings in the collection relating to California and the Sierra Nevada may be from this period of Antisell's career. When the survey was completed, Antisell moved to Washington, D.C. where he was chief examiner in the U.S. Patent Office and had the sole charge of chemical invention. After serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, Antisell went to the Dept. of Agriculture, where he analyzed agricultural specimens and minerals, investigated cancellation inks for the Post Office Dept. and building stone for the Treasury Dept. In 1871 he accompanied Secretary of Agriculture Horace Capron on a technical assistance mission to Japan. Upon returning to Washington, D.C., Antisell reentered the Patent Office as examiner, a position he held until his retirement in 1891. In addition to acting as chemist for the Dept. of Agriculture and the Patent Office, Antisell taught at Georgetown University from 1858 to 1869 and 1880 to 1882. He handled a variety of subjects including hygiene, military surgery, physiology, pathology, chemistry (1858-63, 1880-82), and physiological chemistry (1866-69). He also taught chemistry at the University of Maryland from 1869 to 1870. Thomas Antisell died in 1893.

From the description of The Thomas Antisell collection, 1860-1895. (Georgetown University). WorldCat record id: 70871045

Thomas Antisell was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1817, and educated as a doctor and chemist. He immigrated to the United States in 1848, and set up a medical office and a chemistry lab in New York City. Shortly thereafter he began his career in service to the United States government and served in many positions, including geolgist for the Pacific railroad survey, chief examiner for the U.S. Patent Office, Brigade Surgeon during the Civil War, and chemist for the Department of Agriculture. He also worked for the Post Office and the Treasury Department and developed inks for the Japanese government. He taught courses at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland and authored pamphlets, books, and articles on subjects in the fields of public health, chemistry, surgery, oceanography, geology, etc. Antisell died in 1893 at the age of 76.

From the guide to the Notes and annotations in 1859 edition of, The Manufacture of Photogenic or Hydro-carbon Oils, [1860?] - 1880, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections)