Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-12-19

Louis John Rudolph Agassiz, who died IN |
Cambridge, Mass, sunday night, was born
in the parish of Matter, near Lake Neuf-
chatel, Switzerland, May. May esth. 1907.
He early developed q taste for scientific
study and research, and studied at the college
Of Lausanne, at the Zurich Medical School,
and at the universities Of Heidelberg and
Munich, besides attending for four years
Seedlings lectures on philosophy FOR
his first scientific work, he assisted Martius
in completing his work on Brazil; next
came the publication of the Natural HIS
tory of the Fresh Water Fishes of Europe
Meanwhile he had received the degree oil
Phi. d. at Erlangen, and subsequently that
of NJ. ID. at Munich. While studying LIVING
fishes, his attention had been naturally
drawn 10 the fossil species, and he com
meneed the study Of the ichthyology oil Dy-
gone periods with characteristic arjor. de-
voting ten years of travel and research 10
the study Of this branch of science, the re-
suit of which was published in the com
nleted works in l834-lS44. In 1892, he was
appointed Professor of Natural History IN
the College of Neufcbatel, and in the sue
| ceeding fourteen years which elapsed De-
tween The appointment and his arrival IN
his country, travelled, studied and wrote
much, publishing among other works ms
celebrated Eudes sur les Glaciers, IN when
he enuneiated his now well-known theory
of a glacial age.
In 1916. he came to this country on a
scientific mission from Prussia, and the ioi-
lowing year he determined to make his home
| in this country, determination to when
he was brought by the generous lberalty
If Professor Bache who placed the vessels OF
| the coast survey at his disposal. lie had
meanwhile made extensive scientific tours
throucbout the various sections OF the
limited States. and had delivered lectures,
which we're listened to with pleasure by
immense audiences, to many OF whom the
profound knowledge characteriEing them
was a new revelation. ,
In lSl7 the Lawrence Scientific School
was founded, and Professor Agasslz accept
the Chair of Zoology and Geology, and
since that time, with the exception OF two
wears when he held the position OF Professor
Of Comparative Anatomy in the Medical
College of Charleston, 5. C., he has been
closely identified with Harvard College.
We have not space to enter into the details
of Professor Agassiz's scientific research IN
this country. His time has been passed IN
lecturing, exploring and teaching, and no
branch of science has escaped ms oDser'a-
ton and study. His researches have taken
a wide range, and the natural history OF the
country in all its branches has been
thoroughly Investigated, and the results oil
his Investigations published in books which
have had a wide circulation. In 1860 he ex-
plored Brazil. the result of which was pub
iished in "A Journey to Brazil, in 1867
To enumcrate his works alone would occupy
considerable space, and we must content
ourselves with giving list OF the most
prominent, among which are, besides those
we have already mentioned, Contributions
to the Natural History of the United
States work gigantic in conception and
execution, of which but four volumes have
as yet appeared; Methods of Study IN
Natural History" The Structure OF Ami
NAL Life :" Twelve Lectures on Compare,
tive Embryology - "Systeme Glacealo y
and Lake Superior, work embodying
the results of his scientific exploration In tn,
region of that lake One Of the latest o
his scientific explorations was undertaken
ON board the T. s. 5. LA ssler, in the Pacific
in lS7l-72, and had for its object the exam
nation of the typography Of the bottom o
the sea.
The predominant characteristic Of PROBES
sor Aeassiz's mind was its universally
Other men may have equalled him in one
branch of science, none have surpassed hin
in all lie united the enthusiasm OF Hum
bodt to patient, never-ceasing industry
peculiarly his own. Professor Agasslz
last enterprise was at Penikese, during tn,
past Summer an enterprise with which
we have all been made acquainted. PROBES
sor AgasSiE received many testimonials L
his scientific greatness. and the esteem II
which his efforts were held, from various
scientific bodies and educational institu
tons. In lSGl he received the COpell
medal from the Royal Society of London
From the Academy Of Sciences. Paris. h
received the MOnthyon Prize for Expert
mental Philosophy, and the Cuvier Prize
the Wollaston medal from the theological
Society. London, and the medal OF merl
from the King of Prussia. He was mem
Der Of the leading scientific bodies of Europ
and America, LID. of the Universities 0
Dublin and Edinburgh. and LID. of liar
; ward 1S4s). In private life he was al
E amiable, genial man, much beloved by ever.
one who ever came in contact with him
Professor Agassiz has been twice married
! his second wife being Miss Lizzie Cary
t daughter of T. G. Cary, Esq. He has thre
7 children, Alexander Agassiz, Esq, Ida
{ Mrs lligginson,l and Pauline, mir
Shawl