Edwin James (scientist)
| Edwin James | |
|---|---|
| Born |
27 August 1797 Weybridge, Vermont |
| Died | 28 October 1861 (aged 64) Burlington, Iowa |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | Geology, botany |
| Alma mater | Middlebury College |
Edwin P. James (27 August 1797 – 28 October 1861) was a 19th-century American botanist, geographer and geologist who explored the American West. James completed the first recorded ascent of Pikes Peak. In addition to his explorations, James was also known for his time spent aiding in creating relationships with the Native Americans as well as helping African Americans to escape slavery. James was primarily known for his work serving as a botanist and geologist during Thomas Say's expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains and was in charge of charting and taking note of the new discoveries on the journey. His work on the expedition was similar to that of Alexander Von Humboldt's.
Born in Weybridge, Vermont, to Daniel and Mary (Emmes) James, he prepared for college at Addison County Grammar School before entering Middlebury College in 1812. After receiving his A.B. in 1816, James moved to Albany, New York, to continue study in medicine (with his brother Daniel James), botany with John Torrey, and geology with Amos Eaton. In 1819 James became a part of the American Geological Society and within on year had authored articles on the subject. He married Clara Rogers on 17 April 1827; they had one child who was also named Edwin.
In 1820, at the age of 23, James was appointed to Major Stephen Harriman Long's expedition "from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains"; he served as botanist and geologist and is considered one of the first scientists to explore the Rocky Mountains and environs. Before his time serving as a botanist and geologist helping to lead the expedition across America to the Rocky Mountains, James was known as a station agent on the Underground Railroad. He helped slaves from the south escape to Canada. While James was hired as a botanist and geologist during the adventure, the writings and purpose of the trip focused on the Native Americans more so than the exploration, most likely due to the fact that they were hired by Senator John C. Calhoun to continue his "effort to expand American influence in and knowledge about the West by using Indian Office and Army personnel". When observing the expedition, many focus more on the adventure and the interactions with the Natives rather than on the botanical and geological findings from the journey and note that James was not as interested in the plant life while others recognize the many notes and contributions from the notes of James.
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