Background
He was born in 1813 in Madison County, New York and died in 1881.
He was born in 1813 in Madison County, New York and died in 1881.
Spencer’s first microscopes were available for purchase in 1838. Previous to Spencer’s invention, European manufacturers held a monopoly on research-quality microscopic equipment. At least one of Spencer’s microscopes survives and is currently held by the Smithsonian Institution.
In 1854, Spencer formed a partnership with A.K. Eaton for the manufacture of high quality microscopes, which was located in Canastota, New York, United States of America. This partnership would prove successful, with back-orders from all over the world reportedly exceeding $20,000 United States in the currency of the day.
A “crippling” fire in 1875 however, would lead to the failure and dissolution of this original partnership.
Despite not seeking recognition for their work in the trade, in 1878 the Spencer’s microscopes would receive the Paris Universal Exposition Exposition Universelle (1878) highest award, the Grand Gold Medal, for excellence in their optics. In 1884, ground was broken in Rochester, New York for the foundation of a monument to Spencer and his peer, Robert B. Tolles to provide an enduring honor of their achievements in American microscopy, and the scientific advances that grew from lieutenant A memorial fund was also established as an endowment, which would grant "not more than $100" each year, to be used for research purposes by the recipient.
