Geology in American education: 1825–1860

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 1977 Geology in American education: 1825–1860 MARKES E. JOHNSON MARKES E. JOHNSON 1Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information MARKES E. JOHNSON 1Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1977) 88 (8): 1192–1198. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1977)88<1192:GIAE>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation MARKES E. JOHNSON; Geology in American education: 1825–1860. GSA Bulletin 1977;; 88 (8): 1192–1198. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1977)88<1192:GIAE>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The year 1825 is a landmark in the history of American geological education owing to innovations pioneered by William Maclure and Amos Eaton. School systems devised independently by them offered a wide background in early nineteenth century science, including for the first time practical experience in field geology. To learn by doing was the simple maxim employed in education. Eaton's Rensselaer School at Troy, New York, and Maclure's School of Industry at New Harmony, Indiana, soon developed into the most successful training centers for students of field geology in the United States. State and Federal involvement in the surveying of natural resources expanded toward the middle of the nineteenth century. Between 1830 and 1860, 56 geological surveys were conducted in 33 states or territories. The Troy and New Harmony schools provided leaders and participants for nearly half (48%) of these projects. The most prominent students were David Dale Owen, of New Harmony, and James Hall, of the Rensselaer School. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.