Tuckerman, Edward, 1817-1886

Edward Tuckerman was a botanist who specialized in lichen of North America.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: Person : Description : rid_622_pid_EACP619

Tuckerman, eldest son of Edward Tuckerman, a Boston merchant, and Sophia (May) Tuckerman, was born in Boston in 1817. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Union College in 1837 and 1844 respectively and his L.L.B. and A.B. from Harvard University in 1839 and 1847 respectively. Tuckerman married Sarah Eliza Sigourney Cushing in 1854 and in 1855 began a professorship at Amherst College. Tuckerman began his career at Amherst College as a professor of history; three years later he became a professor of botany. Severe hearing loss forced Tuckerman to abandon his classroom work for botanical research. Although no longer a professor, Tuckerman was included in the Amherst College course catalogue until his death in 1886. During the course of his research, Tuckerman became an authority on lichens, discovering the famous ravine in the White Mountains now bearing his name. Tuckerman's scientific findings have been documented in many articles and books.

From the description of Tuckerman botanical papers, 1816-1886. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 51675314

Edward Tuckerman (1817-1886), the son of Edward Tuckerman (1775-1843) and Sophia May Tuckerman (1784-1870), was a botanist and authority on lichens. He was born in Boston, Mass., and received degrees from Union College, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Divinity School. From 1854 until his death, he was a professor at Amherst College. A devoted scholar, Tuckerman published extensively. He contributed measurably to the classification and description of North American lichens. He also wrote upon biographical, historical, and theological topics, and was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1855.

From the description of Correspondence, 1832-1873. (American Antiquarian Society). WorldCat record id: 191259822

Edward Tuckerman, eldest son of Edward Tuckerman, a Boston merchant, and Sophia (May) Tuckerman, was born in Boston in 1817. After attending Ingraham's school, Boston Latin, he received his B.A. and M.A. from Union College in 1837 and 1844 respectively and his L.L.B. and A.B. from Harvard University in 1839 and 1847 respectively. Tuckerman married Sarah Eliza Sigourney Cushing in 1854 and in 1855 began a professorship at Amherst College. Tuckerman began his career at Amherst College as a professor of history; three years later he became a professor of botany. Severe hearing loss forced Tuckerman to abandon his classroom work for botanical research. Although no longer a professor, Tuckerman was included in the Amherst College course catalogue until his death in 1886. During the course of his research, Tuckerman became an authority on lichens, discovering the famous ravine in the White Mountains now bearing his name. Tuckerman's scientific findings have been documented in many articles and books.

From the guide to the Tuckerman Botanical Papers MA. 00043., 1816-1886, (Amherst College Archives and Special Collections)

Edward Tuckerman, 1817-1886, botanist and expert on lichens, b. Boston, educated Boston Latin, Union College, Harvard Law; after a trip to Europe, returned to Harvard for undergraduate degree and graduated Harvard Divinity School in 1852; professor of botany at Amherst College, published work is chiefly on lichens, Tuckerman's Ravine on Mt. Washington, NH, is named after him.

From the description of Letter to Mrs. Mann?, 1869 August 4. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 56947406