Parker Cleaveland

Who was Parker Cleaveland?

Parker Cleaveland was an American geologist and mineralogist, born in Rowley, Massachusetts.

He was identified with the early progress of the natural sciences. After having attending the Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard in 1799, was tutor in mathematics there from 1803 to 1805, was chosen professor of mathematics and natural philosophy and lecturer on chemistry and mineralogy in Bowdoin College, a position which he retained until his death, although many professorships in other colleges and the presidency of his own were offered to him.

He gathered a valuable collection of minerals and published a treatise on Mineralogy and Geology, which earned for him the title "Father of American Mineralogy."

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Thurston, H. T.; Moore, F., eds.. "". New International Encyclopedia. New York: Dodd, Mead.