Joseph Savage (1823–1891): Abolitionist, Kansas Pioneer, Horticulturist, Fossil Collector

Abstract

A native of Vermont, Joseph Savage was one of the early settlers in the Kansas Territory. He is known historically as one of the founders of the city of Lawrence, an active supporter of the newly formed State University, a well recognized horticulturist, and the proprietor of a successful nursery business. However, many of his scientific accomplishments have been overlooked or are simply lost in history. In the 1860s, Savage became associated with the first state geologist of Kansas, B. F. Mudge, and learned about geology, paleontology and other scientific subjects. He accompanied Mudge as a fossil collector in western Kansas for several years, served as an assistant geologist on the 1872 Hayden Survey of Yellowstone National Park, collected fossils for O. C. Marsh at Yale, and later for the University of Kansas. He was also a long-time member of the Kansas Academy of Science (KAS), served as an elected officer of the KAS, and was a frequent contributor of oral scientific presentations at the annual meetings. In view of his scientific accomplishments, Joseph Savage deserves recognition as one of the early paleontologists of Kansas.