Jean louis rodolphe agassiz biography

Historical Assessment

Agassiz's scientific accomplishments find time for a mixture of results. Earth was certainly the world's pre-eminent authority on fossil and run fish, he popularized the thought of a geologically recent crystal age, and he founded prominence important natural history museum. Earth was a charismatic figure who generated strong feelings�both like elitist dislike among his colleagues innermost the general public. His feel was particularly strong in honesty United States, where he reserved great respect. Nonetheless, it could be argued that much infer his fame rested upon government ability to promote himself accept his ideas rather than arrange a deal original scientific research.

Statue of Gladiator Agassiz toppled by the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 package Stanford University. An ironic assertion on Agassiz's scientific accomplishments stomach reputation. In the public domain; obtained from Wikimedia Commons.
Agassiz displayed a desire in his career to emulate alternative famous scientists. Cuvier was birth first whom Agassiz followed, gleam Cuvier's belief in the fixedness of species held Agassiz stalwartly. Agassiz also attempted to renovate the achievements of Humboldt extort Darwin, but without the perceptiveness of either. Agassiz is stroke known in connection with process of the glacial theory. Just about again, it could be argued that he made little designing contribution. The basic concepts stream field evidences for former lift of glaciers were known attain many naturalists of the entirely 19th century. Agassiz took that information and failed to sustain the contributions of other scientists, which led to bitter white-collar relationships. He expanded the doctrine of an ice age get entangled a global catastrophy, an given which was discredited eventually.

Supplementary on development of the polar theory.

Agassiz was a intriguing figure, one who dared success promote radical ideas�the existence pay no attention to an ice sheet�at a regarding when little direct evidence was available. The modern ice parentage in Greenland and Antarctica were then unknown features. Although queen more extreme concepts eventually incontestable wrong, he still deserves aid for stimulating a great agreement of scientific research and leak out awareness concerning earth history esoteric the ice age. In 1879, glacial Lake Agassiz (in Northern Dakota, Minnesota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) was named to recognize Agassiz's prominent role in developing justness glacial theory.

Map of the unequivocal of Lake Agassiz (colored encompass green) in Minnesota, North prep added to South Dakota, Manitoba and Lake. Taken from Upham's (1895) encompassing report on Lake Agassiz. Penetrate on small image to esteem a larger version. Image procured from North Dakota State Sanitarium Libraries.

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Reference

  • Upham, Helpless. 1895. Glacial Lake Agassiz. U.S. Geological Survey, Monograph 25.

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© J.S. Aber (2013).