Silliman, Benjamin, Sr.

Silliman, Benjamin, Sr.

(1779–1864) chemist, geologist; born in Trumbull, Conn. He was admitted to the bar (1802), but abandoned this career to become professor of chemistry and natural history at Yale (1802–53), devoting his spare time to study these subjects at Philadelphia, Edinburgh, and London. He founded (1818) and edited the American Journal of Science (1818–46). An inspirational educator, Silliman popularized the then new science of geology to a generation of students. He made major contributions to mineralogy and the geology of New England.