Chester Dewey facts for kids
Chester Dewey (born October 25, 1784 – died December 15, 1867) was an important American scientist, teacher, and religious leader. He was especially known for studying plants. He also worked to end slavery.
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Early Life and Education
Chester Dewey was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, on October 25, 1784. His parents were Elizabeth Owen and Stephen Dewey. He went to Williams College to study to become a minister. He finished college in 1806.
After college, he worked as a preacher for a short time. Even though he didn't preach full-time, he often gave sermons in many churches throughout his life. He also helped his brother, Loring D. Dewey, start a school for Black Americans.
Teaching Career
From 1810 to 1827, Dewey was a professor at Williams College. He taught subjects like mathematics and natural philosophy (which is like early science). In 1818, he became a special member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Later, from 1850 to 1860, he taught chemistry and natural philosophy at the University of Rochester.
Family Life
Dr. Dewey married Sarah Dewey in 1810. They had five children together. Sadly, Sarah passed away in 1823. In 1825, he married Olivia Hart. She was the oldest child of Lemuel Pomeroy, Jr.
What He Did
Chester Dewey spent his whole life studying science. He was a very respected naturalist in America. He loved studying plants, especially grasses. He even found and described several new types of plants!
He received special degrees for his work. Yale University gave him an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) in 1825. Union College gave him a D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) in 1838. And Williams College gave him an LL.D. (Doctor of Laws) in 1850.
Studying Plants
Dewey was very good at observing the weather. He wrote down his notes in monthly reports. His articles about different "Families and Natural Orders of Plants" were published in a science journal. These articles caught the attention of important plant scientists in Europe.
He was a top expert on a group of plants called "carices" (which are a type of sedge). He worked on a detailed book about them for over 40 years! His book, "History of the Herbaceous Plants of Massachusetts," was published by the state.
For 43 years (from 1824 to 1867), he wrote many papers called "Caricography" for the American Journal of Science. These papers showed his deep knowledge of Carex plants. His large collection of plants included 97 types of species and varieties that he had discovered or described.
In 1863, Dewey was chosen to be a member of the American Philosophical Society.
Later Life and Death
Chester Dewey passed away in Rochester, New York, on December 15, 1867. He left his amazing collection of dried plants (called a herbarium) and his library about Carex plants to Williams College. His collection was one of the most complete in the country.
Taxonomist Abbreviation
See also
In Spanish: Chester Dewey para niños
