James Blythe Rogers
Encyclopedia
James Blythe Rogers was a United States chemist
.
in 1802, and in 1819 was elected professor of natural philosophy and mathematics at William and Mary College, where he remained until his death. James Rogers was educated at William and Mary, and, after preliminary studies with Dr. Thomas E. Bond, received the degree of M.D. from the University of Maryland
in 1822. Subsequently he taught in Baltimore
, but soon afterward settled in Little Britain, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
, and there practised medicine.
He found the practice of medicine uncongenial, and returned to Baltimore to become superintendent of a large chemical factory. He devoted himself assiduously to the study of pure and applied chemistry, and became professor of that branch in Washington Medical College, Baltimore, also lecturing on the same subject at the Mechanics' Institute. In 1835 he was called to the same chair in the medical department of Cincinnati College, where he remained until 1839, spending his summer vacations in field work and chemical investigations in connection with the geological survey of Virginia, which was then under the charge of his brother William
.
In 1840 he settled permanently in Philadelphia, where he became an assistant to his brother Henry
, at that time state geologist of Pennsylvania
, and in 1841 he was appointed lecturer on chemistry in the Philadelphia Medical Institute, a summer school. He was elected professor of general chemistry at the Franklin Institute
in 1844, and remained there until his election in 1847 to succeed Robert Hare as professor of chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania.
Rogers was a representative at the national medical convention in 1847, and a delegate to the national convention for the revision of the United States Pharmacopeia
in 1850, and a member of various learned societies.
prepared the seventh edition of Edward Turner's Elements of Chemistry and William Gregory's Outlines of Organic Chemistry, in one volume (Philadelphia, 1846).
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
.
Biography
He was the eldest son of Patrick Kerr Rogers, who had graduated from the medical department of the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1802, and in 1819 was elected professor of natural philosophy and mathematics at William and Mary College, where he remained until his death. James Rogers was educated at William and Mary, and, after preliminary studies with Dr. Thomas E. Bond, received the degree of M.D. from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
in 1822. Subsequently he taught in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, but soon afterward settled in Little Britain, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
, and there practised medicine.
He found the practice of medicine uncongenial, and returned to Baltimore to become superintendent of a large chemical factory. He devoted himself assiduously to the study of pure and applied chemistry, and became professor of that branch in Washington Medical College, Baltimore, also lecturing on the same subject at the Mechanics' Institute. In 1835 he was called to the same chair in the medical department of Cincinnati College, where he remained until 1839, spending his summer vacations in field work and chemical investigations in connection with the geological survey of Virginia, which was then under the charge of his brother William
William Barton Rogers
William Barton Rogers was a geologist, physicist and educator. He is best known for setting down the founding principles for, advocating for, and finally obtaining the incorporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1861...
.
In 1840 he settled permanently in Philadelphia, where he became an assistant to his brother Henry
Henry Darwin Rogers
Henry Darwin Rogers FRS FRSE was an American geologist.-Biography:Rogers was born at Philadelphia. His middle name was given him in honor of Erasmus Darwin, of whose poem “The Botanic Garden” his father was a great admirer...
, at that time state geologist of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and in 1841 he was appointed lecturer on chemistry in the Philadelphia Medical Institute, a summer school. He was elected professor of general chemistry at the Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
in 1844, and remained there until his election in 1847 to succeed Robert Hare as professor of chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania.
Rogers was a representative at the national medical convention in 1847, and a delegate to the national convention for the revision of the United States Pharmacopeia
United States Pharmacopeia
The United States Pharmacopeia is the official pharmacopeia of the United States, published dually with the National Formulary as the USP-NF. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention is the nonprofit organization that owns the trademark and copyright to the USP-NF and publishes it every year...
in 1850, and a member of various learned societies.
Works
He contributed papers to scientific journals, and with his brother RobertRobert Empie Rogers
Robert Empie Rogers was a United States chemist.-Biography:...
prepared the seventh edition of Edward Turner's Elements of Chemistry and William Gregory's Outlines of Organic Chemistry, in one volume (Philadelphia, 1846).
Further reading
- Joseph Carson, Memoir of the Life and Character of James B. Rogers (Philadelphia, 1852)
- William S. W. Ruschenberger, The Brothers Rogers (Philadelphia, 1885)