Parker Cleaveland
Encyclopedia
Parker Cleaveland was an American
geologist
and mineralogist
, born in Rowley, Massachusetts
.
He was identified with the early progress of the natural science
s. After having attending the Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard
in 1799, was tutor in mathematics
there from 1803 to 1805, was chosen professor
of mathematics and natural philosophy
and lecturer on chemistry
and mineralogy in Bowdoin College
, a position which he retained until his death, although many professorships in other colleges and the presidency of his own were offered to him.
He gathered a valuable collection of minerals and published a treatise
on Mineralogy and Geology (1816; third edition, 1856), which earned for him the title "Father of American Mineralogy."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and mineralogist
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
, born in Rowley, Massachusetts
Rowley, Massachusetts
Rowley is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,500 at the 2000 census.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Rowley.-History:...
.
He was identified with the early progress of the natural science
Natural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
s. After having attending the Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1799, was tutor in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
there from 1803 to 1805, was chosen professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of mathematics and natural philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and lecturer 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....
and mineralogy in Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
, a position which he retained until his death, although many professorships in other colleges and the presidency of his own were offered to him.
He gathered a valuable collection of minerals and published a treatise
Treatise
A treatise is a formal and systematic written discourse on some subject, generally longer and treating it in greater depth than an essay, and more concerned with investigating or exposing the principles of the subject.-Noteworthy treatises:...
on Mineralogy and Geology (1816; third edition, 1856), which earned for him the title "Father of American Mineralogy."
External links
- Biographical Archive, The Mineralogical Record.
- Parker Cleaveland Collection, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library.
- Genealogy profile, Geni.comGeni.comGeni is a genealogy and social networking website. Launched on January 16, 2007, the Web 2.0 company aims to create a family tree of the world. While family profiles are private, Geni’s mission is to create a shared family tree of common ancestors...
.