Herman LeRoy Fairchild papers
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
Genre / Form
Occupation
Topical
Subject
- Fairchild, Herman L. (Herman Le Roy), 1850-1943 (Person)
- University of Rochester -- Faculty (Organization)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (Organization)
- Geological Society of America (Organization)
- New York State Museum (Organization)
- 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