John M. Darby
Encyclopedia
John M. Darby was an American botanist
, chemist
, and academic. He created the first systematic catalogue of flora
in the southeastern United States
.
in 1804. At the age of ten, his father died, and he was apprenticed to a fuller
. At the age of 23, he entered Williams College
, and graduating with an Artium Magister
degree from that institution in 1831. After graduation, he was an instructor at Williamstown Academy, and later at Barhamville Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina
. In 1841, he published the first compilation of the botany of the southern United States in his A manual of botany, a companion work to Amos Eaton
's Manual of Botany for the Northern States. He was named professor of natural sciences at Wesleyan College
in Macon, Georgia
in 1842. In 1845, Darby returned to Williams College as Professor of Mathematics, but returned South a year later to teach again at Barhamville. In 1848, he became principal of the Sigourney Institute in Culloden, Georgia
, a school he helped found.
In 1855, he became president and professor of natural science of the Auburn Masonic Female College—today Auburn High School--in Auburn, Alabama
. While at Auburn, he expanded his A manual of botany to the more comprehensive Botany of the Southern States, and published a textbook on chemistry
. In addition, he began producing and selling a patent medicine
disinfectant known as "Darby's Prophylactic Fluid", which gained wide use throughout the Southeast. In 1856, he helped found East Alabama Male College in Auburn, which is today Auburn University
. When the East Alabama College opened in 1859, he was appointed professor of natural science at that school, a position he held concurrently with his position at the Auburn Female College.
Darby remained professor at Auburn until 1869, when he was elected president of Kentucky Wesleyan College
in Millersburg, Kentucky
. In 1875, he resigned that position and moved to New York, New York, where he died in 1877.
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, chemist
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....
, and academic. He created the first systematic catalogue of flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
in the southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
.
Biography
Darby was born in North Adams, MassachusettsNorth Adams, Massachusetts
North Adams is a city in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,708 as of the 2010 census, making it the least populous city in the state...
in 1804. At the age of ten, his father died, and he was apprenticed to a fuller
Fulling
Fulling or tucking or walking is a step in woolen clothmaking which involves the cleansing of cloth to eliminate oils, dirt, and other impurities, and making it thicker. The worker who does the job is a fuller, tucker, or walker...
. At the age of 23, he entered Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, and graduating with an Artium Magister
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree from that institution in 1831. After graduation, he was an instructor at Williamstown Academy, and later at Barhamville Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. In 1841, he published the first compilation of the botany of the southern United States in his A manual of botany, a companion work to Amos Eaton
Amos Eaton
Amos Eaton was a scientist and educator in the Troy, New York area.Eaton attended Williams College; after graduating in 1799 he studied law in New York City and was admitted to the state bar in 1802. He practiced law in Catskill, New York until 1810, when he was jailed on charges of forgery...
's Manual of Botany for the Northern States. He was named professor of natural sciences at Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College is a private, liberal arts women's college located in Macon, Georgia, United States.-History:The school was chartered on December 23, 1836 as the Georgia Female College, and opened its doors to students on January 7, 1839. The school was renamed Wesleyan Female College in 1843...
in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
in 1842. In 1845, Darby returned to Williams College as Professor of Mathematics, but returned South a year later to teach again at Barhamville. In 1848, he became principal of the Sigourney Institute in Culloden, Georgia
Culloden, Georgia
Culloden is a city in Monroe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 223 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Culloden is located at ....
, a school he helped found.
In 1855, he became president and professor of natural science of the Auburn Masonic Female College—today Auburn High School--in Auburn, Alabama
Auburn, Alabama
Auburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is the largest city in eastern Alabama with a 2010 population of 53,380. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area...
. While at Auburn, he expanded his A manual of botany to the more comprehensive Botany of the Southern States, and published a textbook on 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 addition, he began producing and selling a patent medicine
Patent medicine
Patent medicine refers to medical compounds of questionable effectiveness sold under a variety of names and labels. The term "patent medicine" is somewhat of a misnomer because, in most cases, although many of the products were trademarked, they were never patented...
disinfectant known as "Darby's Prophylactic Fluid", which gained wide use throughout the Southeast. In 1856, he helped found East Alabama Male College in Auburn, which is today Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
. When the East Alabama College opened in 1859, he was appointed professor of natural science at that school, a position he held concurrently with his position at the Auburn Female College.
Darby remained professor at Auburn until 1869, when he was elected president of Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri...
in Millersburg, Kentucky
Millersburg, Kentucky
Millersburg is a city in Bourbon County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 842 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Millersburg is located at ....
. In 1875, he resigned that position and moved to New York, New York, where he died in 1877.