In 1835 LeConte, then seventeen, was sent to Franklin College (later the University of Georgia), graduating with high honor in 1838.
Gallery of John LeConte
630 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, United States
From Franklin LeConte went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Attaining the degree of doctor of medicine in 1841, he made plans to continue his medical training at Paris; but the death of his eldest brother changed the current of events and he returned to Georgia.
From Franklin LeConte went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Attaining the degree of doctor of medicine in 1841, he made plans to continue his medical training at Paris; but the death of his eldest brother changed the current of events and he returned to Georgia.
John LeConte was an American scientist and educator. He served as president of the University of California from 1869 to 1870 and again from 1875 to 1881.
Background
LeConte was born on December 4, 1818, in Liberty County, Georgia, the son of the Georgia plantation owner Louis LeConte and Ann Quarterman. The family provided a stimulating scientific environment. John Eatton LeConte, Louis’ brother, and his son, John Lawrence, were important entomologists; Louis was a competent amateur botanist, and John LeConte and his brother Joseph, his closest scientific associate throughout his life, were among the most respected scientists of the South before the Civil War.
Education
John's early formal education was provided in a local private school supported by a small group of planters. One teacher only seems worthy of mention as a possible influence. This was Alexander H. Stephens, who was to figure so prominently in the history of the South. In 1835 LeConte, then seventeen was sent to Franklin College (later the University of Georgia), graduating with high honor in 1838. From Franklin, he went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Attaining the degree of doctor of medicine in 1841, he made plans to continue his medical training at Paris; but the death of his eldest brother changed the current of events and he returned to Georgia.
For a number of years, LeConte lived in Savannah, practising his profession but taking time to pursue scientific studies. In 1846 he became a professor of physics and chemistry in Franklin College, resigning in 1855 to accept the chair of chemistry in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. His strong preferment for the subject of physics led him, within the year, to change to the professorship of physics in South Carolina College (University of South Carolina), which he held until 1869.
During the Civil War, he served the Confederate government as superintendent of the niter works located in the vicinity of the college. At the time of Sherman's march through the South, LeConte witnessed not only the destruction of this plant but the destruction of his own property. In spite of these experiences, his zeal for scientific research continued and some of the more important of his studies are of this period.
In 1868 he was elected to the chair of physics at the University of California, beginning work there in 1869. For the first year, he acted as president of the institution in connection with his professorship. He again became president in 1875 and continued in the dual position until 1881. After that date, he confined himself to the chair of physics. One of his earliest researches resulted in "Experiments Illustrating the Seat of Volition in the Alligator."
In 1850 he wrote a paper on the exudation of ice from the stems of certain plants and the protrusion of icy columns from certain soils (Philosophical Magazine, May 1850). In 1858 he developed an explanation of the phenomenon of sensitive flames, making clear the analogy of sound and light and introducing a new method of research made use of later by scientists in the study of acoustics ("On the Influence of Musical Sounds on the Flame of a Jet of Coal-gas," January 1858). In 1863 he wrote a paper on "The Adequacy of Laplace's Explanation to Account for the Discrepancy between the Computed and the Observed Velocity of Sound in Air and Gases" (January 1864).
His paper, "On Sound Shadows in Water" (January 1882) contained the description and discussion of unique experiments on the propagation of vibrations through water. The results recorded attracted much attention in Europe. He wrote an exhaustive discussion of the whole subject of colored media of all kinds, under the title, "Physical Studies of Lake Tahoe" (November, December 1883 and January 1884). "This paper," said Joseph LeConte, "is, in fact, a perfect model of what a popular scientific article ought to be, for it is simple in style and yet thoroughly scientific in matter."
Achievements
Views
Typical of early and mid-nineteenth-century scientists, LeConte developed a wide-ranging interest in several branches of science. Most of his publications were in medicine and physics, but he also published on physiology, botany, astronomy, and geophysics. That he made no major contributions to scientific knowledge was perhaps partly due to this diversity.
Personality
LeConte disliked and avoided experiments, collecting facts and observations for his studies mostly from the literature. In his career as a professor of physics, he stressed general principles rather than their applications. This attitude won him respect among his colleagues, at a time when basic science was not generally appreciated. Preoccupation with administrative duties and personal problems severely hampered his scientific activity during his years in California.
Connections
On July 20, 1841, LeConte had married Eleanor Josephine Graham, whom he had met in New York. She is described as one possessed of rare intelligence, spirit, force of character, and beauty - qualities giving her assured social recognition. They had 3 children.