James Merrill Safford Correspondence
This collection contains one correspondence from James Safford. He writes about a distinguished botanist that came to measure the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, which are the highest in North Carolina and Tennessee. Safford goes on to note that they are the highest mountains east of the Mississippi River. James Safford was the Tennessee State Geologist from 1854 until retirement.
Dates
- 1822-1907
Language
This collection is in English.
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Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection contains one correspondence from James Safford. He writes about a distinguished botanist that came to measure the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, which are the highest in North Carolina and Tennessee. Safford goes on to note that they are the highest mountains east of the Mississippi River.
Biographical/Historical Note
Born in 1822, James Merrill Safford devoted his life to chemistry and geology. From 1848-73, he was a professor at Cumberland University. From 1854 until his retirement in 1900, he served as Tennessee's state geologist. He also taught chemistry part-time at the medical school at the University of Nashville and at Vanderbilt University between 1873 and 1900. Beginning in 1875, he taught geology and botany part-time at Vanderbilt as well. He published over 50 books, maps, and works on geology throughout his life, including "Geology of Tennessee" in 1869 and a text book used in high schools for over 25 years. He died in 1907.
Acquisition Note
Purchased in 2014 from George Webb.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository