Thomas Egleston
Encyclopedia
Thomas Egleston was an American engineer who helped found Columbia University
's School of Mines, now the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Throughout his lifetime, Egleston published numerous lectures and books on metallurgy. Many of his books are preserved today at the archive in the Library of Congress
.
under the counsel of Dr. Dudley in 1854. He continued his graduate study at Yale and further training in École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris
in 1860, after which he was employed by the Smithsonian Museums
in Washington D.C. In Paris
, Egleston pursued his interest in geology and chemistry, attending lectures at the Jardin des Plantes of Paris. He spent time in collections and laboratories while listening to lectures by renowned Professor de Senarmont
and Elie de Beaumont
. After leaving Paris, Egleston traveled extensively in France and Germany to study geological collections.
and Francis L. Vinton who jointly supervised the plan. Egleston became the first professor of mineralogy and metallurgy in 1864, and held that position until his death.
and LL.D. from Trinity
. Egleston was a member of the National Academy of Sciences
and vice-president of the New York Academy of Sciences
. He also served as president of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Egleston was also owner of numerous metallurgical patents.
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's School of Mines, now the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Throughout his lifetime, Egleston published numerous lectures and books on metallurgy. Many of his books are preserved today at the archive in the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
.
Background and education
A native New Yorker, Egleston was a graduate of Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
under the counsel of Dr. Dudley in 1854. He continued his graduate study at Yale and further training in École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris
École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris
The École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris was created in 1783 by King Louis XVI in order to train intelligent directors of mines. It is one of the most prominent French engineering schoolsThe École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris (also known as Mines ParisTech, École des Mines de...
in 1860, after which he was employed by the Smithsonian Museums
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in Washington D.C. In Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Egleston pursued his interest in geology and chemistry, attending lectures at the Jardin des Plantes of Paris. He spent time in collections and laboratories while listening to lectures by renowned Professor de Senarmont
Henri Hureau de Sénarmont
Henri Hureau de Sénarmont was a French mineralogist and physician. He was born at Brou, Eure-et-Loir. In the course of his career, he became engineer-in-chief of mines, and professor of mineralogy and director of studies at the École des Mines at Paris.Sénarmont was distinguished for his research...
and Elie de Beaumont
Jean-Baptiste Élie de Beaumont
Jean-Baptiste Armand Louis Léonce Élie de Beaumont was a French geologist.-Biography:Élie de Beaumont was born at Canon, in Calvados...
. After leaving Paris, Egleston traveled extensively in France and Germany to study geological collections.
Founding of School of Mines
In 1863 Egleston drafted a plan for the establishment of a school of mines, today's Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science connected with Columbia College. He was joined with Charles F. ChandlerCharles F. Chandler
Charles Frederick Chandler was an American chemist, best known for his regulatory work in public health, sanitation, and consumer safety in New York City, as well as his work in chemical education—first at Union College and then, for the majority of his career, at Columbia University where he...
and Francis L. Vinton who jointly supervised the plan. Egleston became the first professor of mineralogy and metallurgy in 1864, and held that position until his death.
Works
In 1866, Egleston was commissioned to make geological survey of the then developing Union Pacific Railroad and examine fortifications in 1868. Egleston frequently consulted on metallurgical subject and was a regular advisor for the government on topics of furnace construction and the treatment of ores. In 1874, Egleston received an honorary degree of Ph.D. from PrincetonPrinceton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and LL.D. from Trinity
Trinity University (Texas)
Trinity University is a private, independent, primarily undergraduate, university in San Antonio, Texas. Its campus is located in the Monte Vista Historic District and adjacent to Brackenridge Park....
. Egleston was a member of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
and vice-president of the New York Academy of Sciences
New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is the third oldest scientific society in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization with more than members in 140 countries, the Academy’s mission is to advance understanding of science and technology...
. He also served as president of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Egleston was also owner of numerous metallurgical patents.
Publications
The following is a list of Thomas Egleston's selected publications:- "Tables for the Determinations of Minerals" (New York, 1867)
- "Metallurgical Tables on Copper, Lead, Silver, Gold, and other Metals " (1868)
- "Tables of Weights, Measures, and Coins of the United States and France" (1868)
- "Metallurgical Tables on Fuels, Iron, and Steel" (1869)
- "Lectures on Mineralogy" (1871)
- "The Metallurgy of Gold, Silver, and Mercury in the United States" (1887)