William H. Keating to Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1822
From William H. Keating
Philadelphia July 1t 1822
Sir.
Although I have not the honour of your acquaintance, I take the liberty, of trespassing upon your time, to offer you the enclosed pamphlet, which contains, I believe, the description of the first new American mineral, discovered and described by Americans—
In dedicating it to you, Mr Vanuxem and I have gladly seized the first opportunity of manifesting the feelings of veneration, which we, in Common with all the people of these states, experience for one, who, in his exalted station, has by his pursuits and patronage of science Contributed so much to raise the scientific character of our country, both at home and abroad—
| Willm H. Keating |
| Professor of mineralogy and chemistry in the Univy of Pennsa |
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Honle Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ (trimmed) as received 13 July. Recorded in SJL as received 13 July 1822. Enclosure: Keating, Account of the Jeffersonite, a New Mineral Discovered at the Franklin Iron Works, near Sparta, N. J. by Lardner Vanuxem and Wm. H. Keating … Extract from the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Vol. II. Part II.—June 1822 (Philadelphia, 1822).
William Hypolitus Keating (1799–1840), scientist, educator, and attorney, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1816. Having continued his studies for a time in Europe, he returned to his alma mater in 1822 as professor of mineralogy and chemistry as applied to agriculture and the arts, a position he retained until 1828. A secretary of the American Philosophical Society, 1823–27 and 1832, and councilor, 1831 and 1836–40, Keating discovered roughly ten minerals during his career. In 1823 he accompanied a United States Army expedition to explore the Minnesota and Manitoba regions, and a year later he helped found and taught chemistry at the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts. After a four-year stint in Mexico working for a mining company, Keating returned to Philadelphia, held a seat in the state House of Representatives, 1832–34, and was admitted to the bar. He died suddenly on a business trip in London, England (; ; University of Pennsylvania Biographical Catalogue of the Matriculates of the College … 1749–1893 [1894], xxii, 55; , Minutes, 18 Oct. 1822 [MS in PPAmP]; Henry Phillips, “A List of the Officers and Councilors of the American Philosophical Society … From 1769 to 1890,” , Proceedings 27 [1889]: 90–1, 99–100; Journal of the Forty Third House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [1832–33], 1:3; Journal of the Forty-Fourth House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [1833–34], 1:3; London Times, 20 May 1840; gravestone inscription in Old Swedes Churchyard, Wilmington).
An image of Jeffersonite is reproduced elsewhere in this volume.
Index Entries
- Account of the Jeffersonite, a New Mineral Discovered at the Franklin Iron Works, near Sparta, N. J. by Lardner Vanuxem and Wm. H. Keating (W. H. Keating) search
- American Philosophical Society; members of search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
- Jeffersonite (mineral) search
- Keating, William Hypolitus; Account of the Jeffersonite, a New Mineral Discovered at the Franklin Iron Works, near Sparta, N. J. by Lardner Vanuxem and Wm. H. Keating search
- Keating, William Hypolitus; identified search
- Keating, William Hypolitus; letter from search
- Keating, William Hypolitus; names mineral after TJ search
- mineralogy; and discovery of new minerals search
- Pennsylvania, University of search
- schools and colleges; University of Pennsylvania search
- Vanuxem, Lardner Clark; as geologist search