(Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating bac...)
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original artwork and text.
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Letters-William-Barton-Rogers/dp/1408616742?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1408616742
educator geologist physicist professor
William Barton Rogers, son of Patrick Kerr and Hannah (Blythe) Rogers, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the second of four brothers, all of whom became distinguished scientists, the other three being James Blythe, Henry Darwin, and Robert Empie .
William was educated under the tutelage of his father, in the public schools of Baltimore, and at the College of William and Mary, where his father became professor of natural philosophy and chemistry in 1819. For a time, with his brother Henry, he conducted a school at Windsor, Maryland
in 1827 became a lecturer at the Maryland Institute. While connected with this institution, he presented to the governors, at their request, a plan for a proposed high school. On the death of the father in 1828, William succeeded to his professorship, but in 1835 was called to the chair of natural philosophy in the University of Virginia. This same year he was also commissioned state geologist in the newly organized survey of the state. In 1848, becoming dissatisfied with his position at the University for various reasons, and "longing for an atmosphere of more stimulating power, " he resigned, but was induced to reconsider and remain five years longer. He then removed to Boston. Some years before, he and his brother Henry had formulated provisional plans for a polytechnic school. Under the stimulus of the Boston atmosphere and with the opportunities for the establishment of such a school in the rapidly improving Back Bay district before him, Rogers so successfully advocated the project that in 1861 the legislature passed an act incorporating the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The following year he was elected its first president. This position he held until 1870, when ill health caused his resignation. In 1878, with improved health, he again became president, continuing as such until 1881, when he resigned but remained as professor emeritus of geology and physics.
He died on May 30 of the following year as he was beginning the delivery of diplomas to the graduating class. Rogers' early predilection was toward chemistry and physics with particular reference to their industrial application. One of his earliest publications had to do with the greensand marls of Virginia and their fertilizing value (see Farmers' Register, August and November 1834, May 1835). As state geologist of Virginia, with a small group of assistants, one of whom was his brother Henry, he entered upon his duties in 1835, continuing as such until by legislative enactment the geological survey was abolished in 1842. Annual reports were submitted, but no provision made for a final report, and but for the energetic action of Maj. Jed Hotchkiss in bringing them together and publishing them with a map in 1884 under the caption A Reprint of Annual Reports and Other Papers on the Geology of the Virginias, the results would have been largely lost. Rogers' chief claim to recognition as a scientist rests not, however, on his career as state geologist, but rather on his joint work with his brother Henry on the structure of the Appalachian chain. At the time of his removal to Boston, he was working largely on physical problems and in 1861 was appointed by Governor Andrew state inspector of gas meters, a position he accepted with reluctance after having recommended another, but in which he rendered important service in the way of improved standards of measurement. He was a man of broad views, a true philosophic spirit, and an all-round scientist. His greatest achievements, however, were in connection with the establishment and administration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
(Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating bac...)
chairman of the Association of American Geologists
chairman of the Naturalists in 1845 and 1847; corresponding secretary of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences from 1863 to 1869;
an original member of the National Academy of Sciences
president of the National Academy of Sciences from 1878 to 1882.
He possessed oratorical powers of a high order, a voice of commanding quality, and had a rare gift of diction and poetic expression. In personal appearance he was distinguished and impressive.
On June 20, 1849, he was married to Emma Savage of Boston; they had no children.
