Closing Remarks of the Introductory to the Fifty-Third Course of Lectures of Jefferson Medical College: Session of 1877-78
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
Robert Empie Rogers was born on 29 March 1813 in Baltimore, Maryland, a son of Dr. Patrick Kerr and Hannah (Blythe) Rogers. His middle name was of his own choosing, adopted in his youth out of regard for the Reverend Adam Empie, president of the College of William and Mary (1827 - 1836). Robert was the youngest of the celebrated Rogers brothers, scientists, the other three being James Blythe, William Barton, and Henry Darwin.
Education
He received his early education from his father, who in 1819 became professor of natural philosophy and chemistry at the College William and Mary; after the father's death in 1828, he was taken in charge by his brothers James and William.
He then entered the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine degree in 1836, his thesis, Experiments upon the Blood (1836), showing that at this early age he possessed rare manipulative skill and the spirit of a true investigator.
Career
Rogers' first work was in the field of engineering, and in 1831-1832 he was connected with railroad surveying parties in New England.
After receiving his M. D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1836 he did not become a practising physician, however. While at the University he had spent much time in the chemical laboratory of Robert Hare, and he now became chemist to the first Pennsylvania geological survey, of which his brother Henry was the head.
Much of his work was routine, although he and Martin H. Boyè made an independent analysis of limestones.
In 1842 he became professor of general and applied chemistry in the University of Virginia, a position involving the kind of work best suited to his tastes and ability--teaching and investigating. His teaching was characterized by dexterity in experiment and lucidity in exposition; moreover, he was sincerely interested in the everyday life of his students, and in turn was beloved by them.
His investigations during this period were mostly done in conjunction with his brother William. Together they devised a new process for preparing chlorine (still commonly used), improved processes for making formic acid and aldehyde, and perfected a method of determining the carbon in graphite. They studied the volatility of potassium and sodium carbonates, the decomposition of rocks by meteoric water, and the absorption of carbon dioxide by liquids, the last named investigation being a helpful contribution to the analysis of mineral waters. At about this time, in collaboration with his brother James, he studied the alleged insolubility of copper in hydrochloric acid, and also published A Text Book on Chemistry (1846), a compact work compiled from contemporary books by English authors. James died in 1852 and Robert succeeded him as professor of chemistry in the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania, becoming dean four years later.
In 1855 he edited Physiological Chemistry, a translation by G. E. Day of Karl Gotthelf Lehmann's work. In the succeeding years he engaged in expert chemical work and for a time during the Civil War performed numerous duties as assistant surgeon in the West Philadelphia military hospital. In this institution he lost his right hand while showing a laundress how to use an ironing machine.
He speedily learned to write with his left hand, however, and to use with remarkable skill what remained of his right arm.
His interest in applied chemistry led him to make a study of petroleum, and through unfortunate speculations in 1864 in connection with the Humboldt Oil Company he sustained a considerable financial loss.
Because of his knowledge of precious metals and their ores he was appointed in 1872 to investigate the waste of silver in the Philadelphia mint; soon afterward he made helpful suggestions about refining which were adopted with profit.
In 1875 he prepared the plans for the equipment of the refinery of the mint in San Francisco; and that same year, under instructions of the Director of the Mint, he investigated the Virginia and California mines in Nevada, for the purpose of estimating their probable total yield of gold and silver.
In 1877 he resigned his position at the University of Pennsylvania to accept the professorship of medical chemistry and toxicology in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, which position he held until just before his death.
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
Membership
He was a member of many scientific organizations and served them in various official capacities. In 1840 he shared in the organization of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists (later the American Association for the Advancement of Science); he was also an original member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Connections
On February 21, 1863, occurred the death of his wife, Fanny Montgomery, daughter of Joseph S. Lewis of Philadelphia, whom he had married March 13, 1843. On April 30, 1866, he married Delia Saunders.