Constantine Samuel Rafinesque

A Voice in the American Wilderness

By: Leonard Warren

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Hardcover | 23 July 2004

At a Glance

Hardcover
272 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.5 x 15.88 x 1.91

Hardcover

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Constantine Samuel Rafinesque was a quintessential nineteenth-century American scientist and naturalist. Exalted by some, cursed by others, Rafinesque gave Latin names to over 6,700 plant species, was acknowledged by Darwin for his early insights into biological variation, and is frequently mentioned in the great natural history archives. Yet he has been almost forgotten in our own day. During his long career, which included some five years as an innovative professor at Transylvania University in Kentucky, Rafinesque's colorful and sometimes difficult personality led to troubles with his colleagues. In Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, the first full-length biography of this brilliant, original, and misunderstood naturalist, Leonard Warren presents a fair and surprising look at Rafinesque's life and contributions to the world of science.

Industry Reviews

"A balanced and informative biography." -- Journal of the History of Biology

"A comprehensive and readable biography of this remarkable and complex man." -- Northern Kentucky Heritage

"A well-written book about a fascinating and misunderstood naturalist.... All readers interested in the people who practice science will enjoy it. Recommended." -- Choice

"One of the most exhilarating characters in American frontier history, a legend in scientific circles rivaled only by Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyon, Davy Crockett, or Daniel Boone in others." -- Southern Seen, Clarksville (VA) News-Progress, Union City (TN) Messenger, Woodfo

"Rafinesque was plagued by the flaws of his personality, often undone by the sheer breadth and depth of his interest.... An engaging academic biography of a sad enigma." -- Lexington Herald-Leader

"The reader comes away from this work satisfied that Rafinesque at last has found the biographer he deserves.... Will interest all those curious about science in early America" -- Indiana Magazine of History

"Warren's easy style combined with Rafinesque's always entertaining, if not somewhat tragic, adventures make for a quick and informative read." -- Academia

"Well-organized and engagingly written-Warren has done impressive research into all of Rafinesque's endeavors: botany, zoology, ethnography, linguistics, geography." -- Karen Reeds, Princeton Research Forum

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Biographies & True Stories Biographies Science, Technology & Medicine Biographies Nature & The Natural World Historical, Political and Military Biographies History Regional & National History History of the Americas Science Science in General History of Science

Earliest Times to Present Day Modern History from 1700 to 1900

In the beginning	p. 6
The newcomer in botanical paradise, 1802-1805	p. 13
Sicily, 1805-1815	p. 35
American science and natural history in Rafinesque's time	p. 49
Return to America, 1815-1818	p. 56
Going West, 1818	p. 71
Kentucky, 1819-1826	p. 79
The world of finance and banking	p. 100
Travels and farewell to Lexington	p. 109
The medicine man	p. 117
History, archaeology, and linguistics	p. 127
Walam Olum	p. 148
Botany and zoology	p. 156
Last years in Philadelphia	p. 171
Last days	p. 192
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Constantine Samuel Rafinesque

A Voice in the American Wilderness

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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