Life, Letters, and Works of Louis Agassiz

Volume 2 of Marcou's 1896 biography of Louis Agassiz (1807–1873) describes his life and career in America.

Jules Marcou (Author)

9781108072618, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 January 2011

340 pages, 5 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.43 kg

On the basis of extensive material in the form of letters, pamphlets and the recollections of friends and contemporaries, Jules Marcou (1824–1898) tells the story of the life and work of Louis Agassiz in this two-volume work of 1896. The Swiss-born palaeontologist, glaciologist and zoologist (1807–1873) is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the modern American scientific tradition. Marcou, a fellow countryman and collaborator of Agassiz, does not attempt to conceal his high regard for the subject of his biography but does have 'in view the truth'. In a chronological narrative, Volume 2 tells of Agassiz' professorship at Harvard and the founding in 1859 of the Museum of Contemporary Zoology, where he remained as director until his death. Although Darwin believed the Swiss scientist's theory on parallelisms provided evidence for evolution, Agassiz was no evolutionist but saw the plan of God everywhere in nature.

13. 1847 continued–1849. Agassiz's visits to the markets
14. 1849 continued–1852. Philadelphia
15. 1852 continued–1855. Lectures before the Smithsonian Institution at Washington
16. 1856–1858. 'Contributions to the Natural History of the United States'
17. 1858–1864. Visit to Europe
18. 1858–1864 continued. Darwin's 'Origin of Species'
19. 1858–1864 continued. 'The Philosophers' Camp' in the Adirondacks
20. 1865–1867. Journey to Brazil
21. 1868–1870. Three letters to Jules Marcou
22. 1871–1872. Voyage on the 'Hassler'
23. 1873. The Anderson School of Natural History at Penikese Island
24. Physical and moral characteristics
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Palaeontology [RBX]