James Blythe Rogers, Chemist, 1802-1852 EDGAR FAHS SMITH
P
ERSONS interested in the early chemistry of this country will find much of value in the life stories of Dr. Patrick K. Rogers and his four sons. It is quite true that educators generally are well informed in regard to William B. Rogers--founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-while geologists the world over are acquainted with the labors of Henry D. in their science, and Robert E.-the youngest brotherattention through his chemical a'tivities; but the eldest son, James B.-the subject this sketchnot so much is known-not as much as is merited. Father and sons knew chemistry well and conbibuted worth-while results in that field. Rarely does one encounter a family in which there were so many common interests; further, these four brothers were intenselv devoted to one another. Thev were together whenever possible, and a t other times were in regular correspondence. All of them became professors. All were most efficient teachers. All were votaries of science. All were zealous in the growth and diffusion of knowledge. All were alert as to the literature of their special fields of science.
.
Whenever they met . . the scientific topic of the day was sure to he the chief subject of conversation.
Until all had placed themselves beyond need, the full purse, no matter who of the four held it, was regarded to be a common resource. Correspondence among them, as previously announced, was frequent, and illuminating in many directions. At present i t clarifies many past occurrences. Before introducing interesting abstracts i t should be remembered that the older brothers were born in Philadelphia and the youngest, Robert, in Baltimore, where the father had an apothecary shop. In 1819 the latter became professor of chemistry in William and Mary College, as successor to Robert Hare. This is a noteworthy fact in view of subsequent developments. One writer has said: Dr. Patrick Kerr Rogers was soon settled in the Brofferton House on the Campus with wife and four bays. He was earnest in his work. He made all the apparatus required t o illustrate his lectures. I n the making and mending he was habitually aided by his sons, who thus acquired unusual facility in the use of working wood and metals. He also prepared and printed a syllabus of his course of instruction.
It was in William and Mary College that the sons were educated. In 1820 the mother died, followed by her husband in 1828. His successor was William B., his second son. After a brilliant college career James Blythe Rogers (Feb. 22. 1802) studied medicine. receiving his doctor's degree from tde University of Maryland Yn 1822. He was not in love with his profession; in short, medicine
was repugnant to him, so he became "superintendent of an extensive manufactory of chemicals in Baltimore," where he sedulously cultivated scientific and applied chemistry. And here for the moment we shall leave him to revel about among the fraternal letters. For example, in 1821, when James was in Baltimore, he wrote William that in a lecture Dr. De Butts had said : No two bodies of heterogenous character are presented to each other without thereby chemical union being produced; far instance, a drop of water applied t o a plate of glass adheres to i t by virtue of chemical attraction, or affinity; and that the different forces of this attraction are t o be observed in all degrees; . I believe this opinion to be erroneous . . . when you write give me your opinion on this paint. . . . Dr. De Butts seems t o have considerably improved as a lecturer since I last heard him, yet he falls far short of Father. . . . While listenine t o the Doetor . . . I wished the students could hear one of pather's lectures, for they as far surpass the Doctor's in point of correctness, science, and elegance, as the meridian sun does the evening star in brilliancy.
..
And in a second epistle from James to William B. (1822) he asks him toinform Henry that as he has arrived a t that age in which be might write a letter nothing would give me more pleasure than t o receive one from him, a letter in which I shall expect him t o tell me what he is studying, and how he comes on in his studies. I have, I think, perceived in Henry that constitution of mind which is admirably fitted for success in this world, and which, if properly cultivated, would manifest genius of no ordinary cast.
Here James was correct, especially in view of the eminence which Hemy did achieve. Again the letter expressed that affection so evident in the entire correspondence of the brothers. Telling of Baltimore experiences, James (1822) advised William that for the sake of improvement I attend some of the lectures in the University, and particularly the chemical lectures, by which I have had an opportunity of testing Dr. De Butt's acquirements. Dr. Murray, whose works I have read. I have found to be his right-hand man. I have myself made so much progress in this beautiful science that I would not exchange my knowledge of the subject far that of the Doctor. I have for the sake of improvement written an introductory lecture on chemistry, which I should like you t o see.. .
.
And William, in Baltimore, wrote (1827) their father a t Williamsburg: James is well and apparently in good spirits. hand a t analysis.
He is a great
While James, himself, addressed the'following letter to his father: I am now a t Windsor, which place I have visited for the purpose of consulting my brothers upon the subject I desire t o consult you. Isaac Tyson, the chemical manufacturer, is desirous that I take the same office in the factory which I had last summer.
He is willing to dispense with a written contract, and would substitute in its place a promise to the same amount. With any honest man, the one would be as obligatory as the other. He made arrangements so as t o change the situation of the experiment r w m to a more airy and agreeable part of the premises, and also to improve the manufacture of chlorine, so as to render i t not so unpleasant to the operator. He is willing t o allow only 350 dallars salaw the first year and 400 the second. Upon reflecting upon my present prospect and situation, and consulting with my brothers, I have thought I should accept the situation. . . .
And Henry (1828) wrote home: James is quite well. He is actively employed in the discharge of his duties, which require, indeed, through the day, an unremitting application. I think he displays from his success in many delicate and complicated processes, and from the certainty and accuracy of his final determinations, no ordinary acquaintance with the difficult operations of refined analysis. Indeed, I have no doubt but that he will one day be among the first practical chemists in the country.
And William a fortnight later informed the fatherJames has a companion in his chemical engagementsyoung gentleman recently from France, a pupil of the celebrated Thenard. He is the most scientific young man I have ever met; with an intimate acquaintance with chemistry, theoretical and practical, and a knowledge of all the important principles of physical science, he combines a Large fund of general information. We find his conversation very interesting. He is able to describe from personal knowledge many of the distinguished scientific characters of France and England.
This reference to James was in consequence of the latter having attached himself to a new medical school-the Washington-functioning at the time as a rival of the older school, the University of Maryland. His sojourn in it, though brilliant, was short-lived, and he and Henry then sought posts in what was known as the Maryland Institute. They were successful, yet in 1830 Henry D. sought and was elected to the chair of chemistry in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. He was just 22 years old. I t is interesting to observe this fact, though in later days he was to be an avowed geologistholding the chair in this subject in the University of Pennsylvania, and subsequently in the University of Glasgow. While in his chemical chair he founded a magazine called The Messenger of Useful Knowledge. Probably absorbed-completely submerged in his new dutiesHenry suddenly awakened to the realization that his post was not altogether to his liking, for a month after assuming his professorship he wrote his brother William : Carlisle. Feb. 2, 1%30
I did not discern until recently how prostrate must be the independence of all who take their hire of a nefarious priesthood. But now I find full amply that the tenure of my station must be a deep hypocrisy and an oppressive and ignominious servitude. Some evenings since, I attended a pleasant party a t which the choicest society of the place was present. T o gratify the company, the host proddced his violin, and all united in a dance. Now I, p w r devil, knew no reason why I should not with the rest taste the gaiety of the evening, nor could I apprehend that any should scruple a t my conduct. In deference therefore t o the mistress of the house, I danced, and saw in the same cotillion two of the Trustees of our College. But, behold, in due time I was notified through a private interview with one of our priestly
rulers how greatly I acted amiss, and was made abruptly to know how Little my greatest services might avail me t o retain my place should I disavow the requisitions of their church, or fail in my conduct and expressions to cooperate in rendering the College a schwl of religious discipline. Now this was gross tyranny and insult, and my soul burned t o defy it. Then was it that I felt the lofty spirit of my father in me, and answered that, if such must be the fetters I must wear, then Dickinson and I must part; but I afterwards softened my expressions and all was appeased between us. Since, I have held myself mute and continue cautious. I think I have fair expectations of re-election in the spring, but certainly I should forfeit all chance of such an issue were I not now to bow low to dictation.
Henry's troubles increased, and his position hecoming more and more trying to him, he resigned in the spring of 1831. I t may he designated incidental, but just 6fteen years prior to the date when Henry became the Professor of Chemistry in Dickinson College, another early American chemist, Thomas Cooper, M.D., assumed the same chair and for years experienced all sorts of criticism and opposition because, it was avowed, he was irreligious and worldly, hence in due course he assembled his household goods and hied him away to Philadelphia. These two men-Cooper and Rogersstrangely enough held in after days, professorships in the University of Pennsylvania. There they apparently gave commendatory service. But to return to James. In a December letter of 1829 he advised William: I t seems as if I was peculiarly selected for the sport of adverse fortune. . . . Our classes this season were s m d ; the proceeds arising from mine, together with some monies I had received as registrar of the College for matriculation fees, were laid aside. After having liquidated my debts, I had about $100, which I left hung up in one of my coats in the room I thought secure. While I was out some villain entered my room, stole the coat and some articles of clothing of much less value. . . Dear brother, I am thus left almost penniless, and, with the exception of two or three tickets I expect to sell sometime io the winter, know not where t o look for money. . . . I have received from Philadelphia the deflagrator (of Hare) and made some of the most brilliant experiments with it ever made in Baltimor-but I must delay getting the other instrument-the calorimatar.
.
...
And Henry, conversant with this unhappy state of James, wrote William that Five hundred dollars would make his long-harassed heart sing with joy and it would afford him means of accomplishing a sure success. After relieving him of all embarrassments, i t would contribute enough for apparatus and other expenses essential to the undertaking. . . .
William evidently responded in a generous fashion. He had become the virtual leader of the band of brothers, and gradually began direction of their plans of endeavor. He knew that James was retiring in his nature and not at all aggressive, preferring to quietly pursue his routine course and in a sense suffer in quiet. The following letter reached James in connection with the financial relief which had been extended him. William's affection is very evident: Re not discouraged by the present state of circumstances
James was working during the day in his industrial
nient being that of professor of chemistry in a rather large Medical School. A little family was growing up around him. His correspondence was lagging and the The demand for men quawed as yon are is daily augment- brothers were wondering as to his condition and ing. . . . Be on the alert, be vigilant in watching for the propi- engagements. In 1837 he became chief assistant to tious opportunity. .. . I n the season of disengagement from the William on the Virginia geological survey, his duty being duties of instruction, do not abandon your studious pursuits. the chemical work. Above all, my dear brother, be not too di5dent of youcself. . . . William, in the University of Virginia, was fairly This is not a country in which retiring merit is ever likely to be rewarded. . . . Here talents cannot succeed without enterprise overwhelmed with the duties of the geology bf that and every man is expected to "achieve his own greatness." state and with the cares of his chair-natural philosThe community will only give you credit for as much as you dis- ophy. Henry was likewise completely absorbed with play, and they will not seek to educe your hidden monrces. Yon must present yourself before them boldly, frequently, and the geological survey of Pennsylvania. On his brothimpressively; you must almost obtrude yourself upon their ers, Robert and James, he was constantly calling for notice. . . . post; a t night he was in the Maryland Institute endeavoring to supplement his meager salary, so the kind words of William must have been most welcome:
Such was the advice of the future president of a great educational institution. The cares, anxieties, and burdens of Tames were verv great. Indeed, in August of 1830, ge succumbed to them, becoming violently and seriously ill. But on his final recovery he felt constrained to terminate a longstanding engagement and was married to a lovable, sensible daunhter of old Harford Countv. Marvland. To improve k s income he joined with af&d in the busin& of apothecary in ~ a l t i m o r e abusiness in which years before his father ventured. And it was, too, in the same dtv. It was a false sten for him. ~twas a heart-rendin; -od for him. ~ & u r eresulted. William was c o ~ o r t a b l ysettled as professor a t and Mary College, Robert was enjoying his student preparatory days, while Henry was drifting abontdrifting, however, to some purpose, sailing a t length on Mav 19 to Enzland. In London he enioved delightfirelations wgh the men of science and-de his final determination to be a geologist. I n his letters to his brothers and relatives in America he dropped numerous delightful notes of the men of science with whom he associated. He said of Edward Tnrner, professor of Chemistry in University College, London: Twuer is in every sense a gentleman. very much and in a beautiful style.
.. .
He experiments
I go to the Royal Institution, where Brande and Faraday deliver perhaps the most perfect course of chemistry anywhere given. Faraday is at present on electricity . . Yesterday he was melting the metals.. Faraday's style of lecturing and experimenting reminds one of Paganini's playing; so easy, so adroit, so much emcution. Faraday is, I fancy, the leading man now (1833) in Eneland.
. ..
-
.. .. .
I
I \
h I
..
During all this time James was an apothecary, struggling along with that medical school which seemed to desire him, although his emoluments were small, considering his splended intellectual eEorts. There were, too, analytical questions referred to him. Changes were occurring now for the brothers. Henry became (1835) professor of geology in the University of Pennsylvania; William was transferred to the University of Virginia, Robert was a medical student in Philadelphia (in chemistry under Robert Hare), and James had migrated to Cincinnati, his chief employ-
Enaroved by T.B. Welch (Phila.)frorn s L h # u s r r m r y p by M.P. Simw
Jams B ~ v r ROGERS, n~ CHEMIST, 1802-1852
aid in analysis. I n December of 1837 he wrote William that Dr. Danbeny, Professor of Chemistry a t Oxford, was in Philadelphia for a visit. I t was this distinguished gentleman who wrote an admirable volume on
"The Atomic Theory." and observed that
Henry met him frequently
he is very amiable.
Henry's laborious geological duties in the end prompted him to draw James from the Medical School of the University of Cincinnati, and have him help a t times in the field work, but more particularly in the laboratory, where he had employed his brother Robert and Martin Boy& The second annual meeting of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists was held in Philadelphia in April, 1841. James then, in that city, quite fully occupied with Henry, wrote to Wifiam at the time: The meeting was pretty fully attended. I t s deliberations were conducted with much spirit and were highly interesting. You can well understand how pleased I am to have i t in my power t o inform you that I have not been neglected, but that a few days ago the Faculty of the University of Pennsylvania in the most prompt and complimentary manner, appointed me professor of chemistry in the Summer Institute, and Robert as my assistant. This place, you recollect, was occupied by Mitchell. . We regard the position as a highly favourable one. as it places us on the best possible road t o something better here, and associates us with such men as Jackson, Chapman, Harner. Hodge, Ball, and Hare, and makes me Hare's representative during the summer, in fact, identifying us with the interests and character of the University. I n a peculiar point of view. it can prove but little serviceablein the present year,as I believe theclass does not number more than thirty or forty. But all connected with it are devoted t o its success as the child of the University, and assure me that next summer the class can be made t o reach one hundred.
We missed you, my dear James, a t the Association of Geologists (1844-May). Next season you must arrange your affairs so as to be present. . . Why, my dear James, do you not write to us? We are desirous of knowing all particulars connected with the Institute-what is Dr. Hare now about; how Frazer succeeds in his new place; whether he intends retaining the place in the FranklinInstitute, and other itemsof interest? . . I trust dear Rachael (wife of Tames) has auite recovered. Tell her I think dailv with brothe;lv afiection bf her and the children . . What 3reyOU now lcrturing oo, and what ne~varrangetpents(lR14) h a w you made in your laboratory? I hope you still continue to gather materials for your book. Depend upon it, you might do great things by such a work.
.
.
~~
~~
~
~~
~~~~~~~~
~
And in February, 1845, he inquires: When will your lectures in the Institute terminate? The Medical courses are, I suppose, now closing, and the great doctors' mill is making its last revolution preparatory t o the process which is t o send abroad the manufactured product stamped wholesale with the University branding iron.
In 1847, Robert Hare resigned his chair of chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania, and his successor was James Blythe R o g e r s t h e successor to the same eminent individual to whom his father had succeeded, . . twenty-eight years previously. The brothers W i i i m , Robert, and James were now comfortably established in professorships, while Henry was succeeding as lecturer and geological expert in Boston. Perhaps it will now be well to consider the experience of James in Philadelphia. Before leaving Cincinnati, the President of the United States had offered him the post of melter and refiner in the branch Mint a t New Orleans. It was in 1840, as previously stated, that he This Summer Institute was the Philadelphia Medical became a permanent resident of the City of Brotherly Institute and has continued down until in very recent Love, where he assisted Henry, doing the chemical years. I t ran through each year. I t was an auxiliary work of the geological survey. In 1841, he became to the regular Medical School-every branch of which attached to the Philadelphia Medical Institute. In was taught in the Institute by younger and aspiring men 1844 he was unanimously chosen professor of chemistry who lectured reglarly and also quizzed their students. in the Franklin Institute. In 1846 he became a member Its abode continues today though-otherwise used. And of the American Philosophical Society. In 1847 he was Henry writing April 18, 1841, to William remarked : a member of the Faculty of Franklin College. Following James delivered his introductory on Friday last. It was really the assumption of Robeit Hare's chair (1847) he bevery fine, mostly extemporaneous; the best part, indeed, was en- came a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences tirely so. He will very soon win for himself the reputation of and representative of the University of Pennsylvania in being the best lecturer in the City. the National Convention for the revision of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States. In conjunction with And enthusiastic young Robert advised Henry: his brother Robert (1846) he compiled a volume on James is even improving in his lectures, if there were room for inorganic and organic chemistry (based on the works improvement. The students appreciate his enthusiasm and i t is the shortest hour of learning they have of Edward Turner), which was used as a tatbook. clearness. I am in the twentv-four. I could not but remark the other dav the This is only one instance where these two brothers strong expression of satisfaction upon all their countenances as he acted as co-laborers. William and Henry were joint finished his explanation of electric attraction. . . . authors of eight and Robert and William of nineteen Robert, in 1842, succeeded to the chair of chemistry papers' In Volume 6 of the Journal of the Philadelphia Coland pharmacy in the University of Virginia as successor lege of Pharmacy,James published the results obtained to the deceased Dr. Emmett. William in a note to from the analysis of soup containing arsenic. I t is a James said: most interesting contribution to forensic chemistry, Robert has been particularly lucky this year, as he has sixty- made in the vear 1834. in the citv of Baltimore. Exsix students entered for his courses and may expect to have periments , &, the elkrnentary Goltaic battery tried seventy-five. out with James Green, an instrument maker, gave and continues, James an additional contribution, the results of which
were novel and decidedly valuable (American Journal of Science and Arts, 28, 33 (1835). Early chemical literature had shown that copper was entirely insoluble in pure hydrochloric acid, when oxygen is absent. This was made the foundation of an analytical process recommended not only by Fuchs, but also by Fresenius. James B. Rogers, in conjunction with his brother Robert, proved the scheme to be inaccurate (American Journal of Science and Arts, 2nd Series, 6,395 (1848). The major portion of James Rogers' experimental activity, as already stated, was in the field of analysis, and the results recorded in the publications made by his brothers William and Henry on the geological surveys of Virginia and Pennsylvania. It is also true that in the great manufacturing establishment of Messrs. Tyson and EUicott vast improvements in manufacture and products were due to his devotion, skill, and dexterity in manipulation as well as to his remarkable insight into the nature of the materials upon which he experimented. I n the two years that he was active in the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia i t was admitted by all that he
was ever ready to embrace the chances presented of making his knowledge subsemiat to industrial purposes.
This, then, about concludes the life story of an earnest, devoted cultivator of our science in an early period of the country's development along chemical lines. His labors were quietly closed on June 15, 1852. A colleague of his later life said: As an instructor he was honest. The full storehohse of his mind was drawn upon to instruct his students, and no pains nor labor did he spare himself to make easy t o them comprehension of the important truths he taught. The manner which he exhibited, from its impressiveness, proved that he felt the necessity of the information which was communicated, and the language employed t o clothe his thoughts, when warming with his suhject, arose t o eloquence. The explanations and reasoning which were given, were clear and lucid; while the illustrations which accompanied them were marked by dexterity and skill. In the lecture room could he be othenvise than popular? The ever attentive and gently breathing audiences who listened to him attest he was so.
(The next biograghy in this s e r k d l be that of James Curlis Booth, Chemist, 1810-1888.)
