Lewis Caleb Beck
Encyclopedia
Lewis Caleb Beck was an American physician
, botanist, chemist
, and mineralogist.
in 1817. He then studied medicine
, and began his practice in Schenectady in 1818. From 1820 to 1821, he resided in St. Louis, but soon returned and settled in Albany. Beck was successively professor of botany in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
(1824–1829), professor of botany and chemistry in the Vermont Academy of Medicine (1826–1832), professor of chemistry and natural history at Rutgers College (1830–1837 and 1838–1853), and professor of chemistry and pharmacy at Albany Medical College
(1841–1853). He also delivered a course of chemistry lectures at Middlebury College
in 1827.
Beck was the author of a number of books and papers on botany and chemistry, and also of an elaborate report on the mineralogy of New York, based upon his researches as mineralogist (appointed 1837) of the New York Geological Survey of 1835–1841, which was published as one of the volumes of the Natural History of the State of New York (1842). This latter work was probably his most important contribution to scientific literature. Other works included A Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri (1823), An Account of the Salt Springs at Salina (1826), A Manual of Chemistry (1831), On Adulterations (New York, 1846), and Botany of the United States North of Virginia (1848).
authored the first significant American book on forensic medicine, to which another brother, John Brodhead Beck
, also contributed.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, botanist, chemist
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...
, and mineralogist.
Biography
He graduated from Union CollegeUnion College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1817. He then studied medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, and began his practice in Schenectady in 1818. From 1820 to 1821, he resided in St. Louis, but soon returned and settled in Albany. Beck was successively professor of botany in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
(1824–1829), professor of botany and chemistry in the Vermont Academy of Medicine (1826–1832), professor of chemistry and natural history at Rutgers College (1830–1837 and 1838–1853), and professor of chemistry and pharmacy at Albany Medical College
Albany Medical College
Albany Medical College is a medical school located in Albany, New York, United States. It was founded in 1839 by Amos Dean, Dr. Thomas Hun and others, and is one of the oldest medical schools in the nation...
(1841–1853). He also delivered a course of chemistry lectures at Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in 1827.
Beck was the author of a number of books and papers on botany and chemistry, and also of an elaborate report on the mineralogy of New York, based upon his researches as mineralogist (appointed 1837) of the New York Geological Survey of 1835–1841, which was published as one of the volumes of the Natural History of the State of New York (1842). This latter work was probably his most important contribution to scientific literature. Other works included A Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri (1823), An Account of the Salt Springs at Salina (1826), A Manual of Chemistry (1831), On Adulterations (New York, 1846), and Botany of the United States North of Virginia (1848).
Family
His brother Theodric Romeyn BeckTheodric Romeyn Beck
Theodric Romeyn Beck M.D. LL.D , alternatively Theodoric Romeyn Beck or T. Romeyn Beck, was an American physician in Albany, New York specializing in medical jurisprudence who authored the first significant American book on forensic medicine, Elements of Medical Jurisprudence in...
authored the first significant American book on forensic medicine, to which another brother, John Brodhead Beck
John Brodhead Beck
John Brodhead Beck was a New York physician who was an authority on miscarriage, abortion, infant physiology, andassociated forensic issues.-Biography:...
, also contributed.