Edward L. Youmans
Encyclopedia
Edward Livingston Youmans (June 3, 1821 in Coeymans, New York – January 18, 1887 in New York City
) was an American scientific writer, editor, and lecturer and founder of Popular Science
magazine.
, and with her aid he undertook the study of chemistry
. In 1851 he prepared a Chemical Chart which won such favor that the next year he published a Class-Book of Chemistry. From that time on, he devoted himself to popularizing science. On November 4, 1861, in Saratoga, New York
, he married Catherine Newton "Kate" Lee (c. 1819–1894), widow of William Little Lee
, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Hawaii
.
He became a lecturer, and in 1872 founded Popular Science Monthly magazine, which he edited until his death. He planned the publication of the “International Scientific Series,” by means of which works by the greatest scientists of all nations were published simultaneously in the principal modern languages, and introduced the works of Herbert Spencer
and of other British scientists to readers in the United States
.
, helped him found and edit Popular Science Monthly, and on Edward's death his brother became editor-in-chief.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) was an American scientific writer, editor, and lecturer and founder of Popular Science
Popular Science
Popular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the ASME awards for its journalistic excellence in both 2003 and 2004...
magazine.
Biography
At 17 years old, he was afflicted with a malady of the eyes from which he suffered during the remainder of his life. Despite this handicap, however, he managed to acquire a good education. In 1845 his sister, Eliza Ann Youmans, became his reader and amanuensisAmanuensis
Amanuensis is a Latin word adopted in various languages, including English, for certain persons performing a function by hand, either writing down the words of another or performing manual labour...
, and with her aid he undertook the study of chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
. In 1851 he prepared a Chemical Chart which won such favor that the next year he published a Class-Book of Chemistry. From that time on, he devoted himself to popularizing science. On November 4, 1861, in Saratoga, New York
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
, he married Catherine Newton "Kate" Lee (c. 1819–1894), widow of William Little Lee
William Little Lee
William Little Lee was an American lawyer who became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:...
, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
.
He became a lecturer, and in 1872 founded Popular Science Monthly magazine, which he edited until his death. He planned the publication of the “International Scientific Series,” by means of which works by the greatest scientists of all nations were published simultaneously in the principal modern languages, and introduced the works of Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher, biologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist of the Victorian era....
and of other British scientists to readers in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Family
His brother, William Jay YoumansWilliam Jay Youmans
William Jay Youmans was a United States scientist. He edited Popular Science Monthly for a time.-Biography:He was born at Milton, New York. He studied chemistry under his brother, Edward Livingston Youmans, and at Columbia and Yale, then took a course in medicine at New York University, and in...
, helped him found and edit Popular Science Monthly, and on Edward's death his brother became editor-in-chief.
Publications
- Brief explanations of a new chart of chemistry: Upon which the fundamental principles of the science ... are represented to the eye by diagrams and colors in the clearest manner (1850)
- Alcohol and the constitution of man;: Being a scientific account of the chemical properties of alcohol, and its leading effects upon the healthy human constitution (1854)
- Chemical atlas ;: Or, The chemistry of familiar objects (1856)
- A class-book of chemistry: In which the principles of the science are familiarly explained and applied to the arts, agriculture, physiology, dietetics ...(1859)
- Handbook of household science: A popular account of heat, light, air, aliment, & cleansing in their scientific principles & domestic application (1864)
- The correlation and conservation of forces: A series of expositions by Prof. Grove ... (1867)
- The culture demanded by modern life: A series of addresses and arguments on the claims of scientific education (1867)
- Observations on the scientific study of human nature: A lecture delivered before the London College of Preceptors, October 10, 1866 (1867)
- The scientific basis of prohibition (1871)
- Herbert Spencer on the Americans and the Americans on Herbert Spencer: Being a full report of his interview, and of the proceedings of the farewell banquet of Nov. 11, 1882 (1883)