“The Nestor of American Science” (Edward Everett), is universally known by his works on Chemistry and as the founder of Silliman’s Journal of Science and Art. Professor Silliman was born in North Stratford, Ct., and graduated at Yale, in the class of 1796. He was Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology, in Yale, from 1804 to 1855, a little over half a century. By the brilliancy of his lectures, his eminence as a man of science, and the genial and pervading goodness of heart which formed a prominent trait in his character, he contributed largely to the prosperity of the institution. Besides his scientific works, Professor Silliman wrote several attractive works of Travel: “A Journal of Travels in England, Holland, and Scotland,” 3 vols., 8vo.; “Remarks on a Short Tour between Hartford and Quebec,” 2 vols.; and “A Narrative of a Visit to Europe in 1851,” 2 vols. He wrote also a work called “The Consistency of Discoveries in Modern Geology with the Sacred History of the Creation and Deluge,” and numerous special addresses. His “Life and Correspondence,” by Professor Fisher, 2 vols., 8vo., consists to a great extent of Professor Silliman’s own writings.

Personal

  I accordingly called, and met Professor Silliman for the first time. As the friend of Professor Dana I was kindly received, and not only furnished with what information I sought, but was soon engaged in a frank and pleasant conversation, chiefly upon topics of a scientific character, in which whole hours almost insensibly glided by. On leaving I was pressed so cordially to return that I did not hesitate to avail myself of the courtesy. This interview took place shortly after Professor Silliman’s last visit to Europe, the recollections of which constantly crowded upon his mind, and were pleasantly interspersed through his conversation. At this time he had retired from the more active duties of life, to repose upon the laurels of a well-earned scientific reputation. He bore evident marks of advancing years, but yet was possessed of a naturally vigorous constitution and full physique, upon which the inroads of time had made less impression than is usually the case. He resembled so much the portrait painted by Wilson—to be found in his European tour, published in 1853—that I should have had no difficulty in recognizing him under any circumstances; but meeting him as I did, under the shelter of his own roof and amidst the scenes of his life-long labors, his face seemed at the moment of recognition as that of an old and familiar friend. Through his writings, and the periodic return of his Journal, I had for years been apparently as well acquainted with him as if he had existed before me with an animated form and an articulated voice; and the transition from my acquaintance with him as the conductor of an able scientific journal to a personal one seemed so slight as to scarcely be recognized.

  As a lecturer he was almost unsurpassed. Without a severe logical method, he threw so much zeal into his discourse, expressed himself with such an attractive rhetoric, and supported his doctrine by experiments of such almost unfailing beauty and success that all audiences delighted to hear him; so that for years no lecturer so attractive could address an assembly, whether gathered in the walls of a college or from the people of crowded cities. In his own lecture-room the students felt the genial sway of his oratory. No other such instructions were given, uniting at once pleasure and improvement. Hence for many years the study of chemistry was, perhaps, the most popular one in the institution. In the latter years of his professional life the science of geology seemed to take the largest share of his interest. And, here, the grandeur of the subject-matter seemed especially fitted to kindle and exalt his fervor. The mighty agencies that have moulded the earth over and over, as clay is moulded in the hands of the potter, the immense ages which almost appall the imagination, this vast framework of the earth, the theatre of such sublime displays, and over all, before the eye of faith, the Divine Architect carrying the great building forward, until it had become a fit dwelling-place for his immortal creature, man—these grand objects inspired him, and he threw the inspiration into his audiences, wherever they were gathered.

  His life was a continued course of sunshine, the brightness of his mid-day answering to the brilliant promise of the morning, and passing by gentle transitions into the serene and softened glow of a cloudless sunsetting. His death was a veritable euthanasia, quiet, peaceful, sudden—a literal breathing away of the spirit in love to man and in praise to God…. The example of such a man in so long a life is a legacy of inspiration to the young men of the country, and not least valuable or important to the devotees of science, to lift them above the sordid and material aims, the petty rivalries, and the selfish ends from which even the most accomplished culture and the largest attainments and the widest acquaintance with men are not certain to deliver them.

General

  His “Journal” represents England to the Americans as it is, and exhibits to the English a fair specimen of the real American character…. Mr. Silliman is a good representative of the best American character.

  Of the American travelers who have published accounts of England, the work of Professor Silliman has been hitherto the best.

  His “Letters from England;” or “Silliman’s Tour,” a book published in America, after his return from a tour through England, Scotland, Wales, and Holland, is highly credible to his temper, heart, and good sense. It is a very fair picture of what he saw here; and a work which deserves to be, as it is, popular, in his country.—His “Tour in Canada” is contemptible; a piece of egregious book-making.—We think very highly of Professor Silliman, as a writer; as a mineralogist; as a geologist; and as a chemist; but very humbly, as a book-maker.

  In 1818, Professor Silliman founded the “American Journal of Science and Arts,”—a work which has done more than any other to raise the reputation of our country for science, and to make her known and honored abroad; while it has placed the learned editor in the very front rank of scientific men, and will ever remain a permanent monument to his zeal and perseverance in his favorite studies. Besides communicating with the public on scientific subjects through the press, he has frequently given courses of scientific lectures to popular audiences in our cities and towns, and always with great acceptance. His easy and dignified manners bespeak the gentleman born and bred; while his happy talent at illustration, and tact in communicating knowledge, always render his lectures as pleasing as they are instructive…. Professor Silliman has fitly been called the “Father of American Periodical Science;” and, although others of his countrymen preceded him in the study of nature, no man probably has done so much as he to awaken and encourage students of science, to collect and diffuse the researches of American naturalists, and to arouse in all classes of the community a respect for learning and a desire for its advancement.

  His first edition of “Henry’s Chemistry” appeared in 1808, with the modest announcement,—“to which are added notes by a Professor of Chemistry in this country.” As soon as Gay Lussac’s method of obtaining potassium by the decomposition of its hydrate by heat in an iron tube, was known in this country, Professor Silliman repeated the process with success, obtaining potassium for the first time, it is believed, in America. He was the first to notice and record the effect of a powerful voltaic battery in volatilizing carbon and transferring it from the positive to the negative pole in a state of vapor. His paper on this subject is full of curious interest, and was a long way in advance of the then existing state of knowledge. Professor Silliman labored zealously with the oxy-hydrogen blow-pipe of Dr. Hare, to determine the fusibility of different substances, and made interesting discoveries in this direction. His investigation in reference to the Western Meteor has already been mentioned. Such labors indicate that he was not indifferent or inactive in respect to the progress of the sciences which he taught. But his fame rests upon his work as a pioneer, opening the way in this country for new branches of science, and securing for them countenance and respect, and as a teacher who inculcated scientific truth in a way to interest, in an almost unexampled degree, his auditors.

  The young man thus chosen was not mainly, or even largely an investigator; that was not the first thing needed. He obeyed the logic of his situation. What was first needed was an apostle of science to make known throughout the Republic an existing revelation, to make men listen to it, and, of those willing to listen, to stimulate the brightest and best to develop the work still further. It is no more disparagement to say that Benjamin Silliman was not a great original investigator than to say that a King is not a cabinet minister. When Sir Charles Lyell writes from the South expressing amazement at the numbers of men whom he found in most remote parts of the country who had received an impulse in scientific studies from Silliman, he had a vision of the real work of his honored friend. At this pioneer work he wrought for half a century. In his laboratory and lecture-room on these grounds, at centers of thought in all parts of the country, through the journal which he founded, through his correspondence, abroad and at home, he, more than any other man of his time, gave an impulse to scientific investigation throughout this country, which has never been lost.