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Herman LeRoy Fairchild papers

 Collection
Identifier: A.F16

Biographical/Historical note

Herman LeRoy Fairchild was Professor of Geology and Natural History at the University of Rochester from 1888 until his retirement in 1920. He was Professor Emeritus from then until his death in 1943. Dr. Fairchild was primarily interested in the glacial geology of western New York, but his life's work included many fields both academic and civic. He was active in local and national scientific organizations and was one of the thirteen founders of the Geological Society of America.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

1850: April 29, Born in Montrose, Pennsylvania.

1866: First teaching position at sixteen years of age.

1870-1874: Cornell University.

1874-1876: Teacher of Natural Sciences at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pennsylvania.

1877-1888: Lecturer in various schools in New York City.

1888: Elected to the Chair of Geology and Natural Science, University of Rochester.

1888: Founding Member of the Geological Society of America.

1889-1901: President of the Rochester Academy of Science.

1890-1900: Registrar of the University of Rochester and Secretary of the Faculty.

1891-1906: Secretary of the Geological Society of America and supervisor of its publications.

1892: Rochester Meeting Of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, local Secretary.

1894: General Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

1896-1928: Member of the Executive Committee of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

1898: Chairman, Section E of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Vice President of the Association.

1903: Trip to Europe

1906-1920: Member of the New York State Geological Survey.

1907: Presentation of his books to the University of Rochester as the Fairchild Geological Library.

1910: Honorary degree of Doctor of Science, University of Pittsburgh.

1911-1913: President of the New York State Commission Government Association.

1912: President of the Geological Society of America.

1912: President of The Brotherhood.

1913-1923: Member of the New York State Board of Geographic Names.

1914-1916: Vice-President of the Municipal Government Association of New York State.

1920: Retirement from the University of Rochester, Professor Emeritus.

1923: Nov. 30, Death of his first wife, Mrs. Alice Fairchild.

1924: Establishment of the Lillian Fairchild Memorial Award in honor of his poetically gifted daughter who had died in 1910.

1924: Marsh Panama-Darien Expedition.

1924: Nov. 12, Marriage to Miss Minnie C. Michel.

1932: Jan. 13, Presentation of a life-sized bust of Dr. Fairchild to the University of Rochester by the Rochester Academy of Science.

1935: Dec. 1, Death of his only son, LeRoy Frink Fairchild, followed by a serious illness of Professor Fairchild.

1938: June 6, Awarded the first Rochester Civic Medal by the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences.

1943: Nov. 29, Died in Strong Memorial Hospital.

Professor Fairchild's publications numbered two hundred and sixty-four; the first, "On the variations of the Decorticated Leaf Scars of Certain Sigillaria," appeared in 1877, and the last, "Selenology and Cosmogeology," appeared in 1938.

Scope and Contents

The collection includes correspondence and notes, and the manuscripts of his published and unpublished books, articles and addressee. The collection has been expanded with the acquisition of photographs, photographic glass plates, scrapbooks, additional notes, miscellaneous papers and memorabilia.The final additions to the Fairchild papers were made after the Professor's death, when his wife gave the residue of his personal papers to the Library.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1869-1943

Language of Materials

English

Extent

42 box(es) (42 boxes and 12 scrapbooks)

Access

The Herman LeRoy Fairchild Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

In 1936 Professor Fairchild gave to the University Library his correspondence and notes and the manuscripts of his published and unpublished books, articles and addressee. The collection has been expanded with the acquisition of photographs, photographic glass plates, scrapbooks, additional notes, miscellaneous papers and memorabilia. The final additions to the Fairchild papers were made after the Professor's death, when his wife gave the residue of his personal papers to the Library.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Herman LeRoy Fairchild Papers, A.F16, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Arrangement

GENERAL CONTENTS

Correspondence

Manuscripts

Scrapbooks

Miscellaneous Papers

Photographs and Photographic Plates

Collection of United States Geological Survey Maps

Memorabilia

Collected Writings and Bibliographies

Title
Herman LeRoy Fairchild papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA