Jean louis rodolphe agassiz biography of alberta

Historical Assessment

Agassiz's scientific accomplishments comprise a mixture of results. He was certainly the world's foremost authority on fossil and living fish, he popularized the idea of a geologically recent ice age, and he founded an important natural history museum. He was a charismatic figure who generated strong feelings�both like and dislike among his colleagues and the general public. His influence was particularly strong in the United States, where he held great respect. Nonetheless, it could be argued that much of his fame rested upon his ability to promote himself and his ideas rather than with original scientific research.

Statue of Louis Agassiz toppled by the San Francisco earthquake in at Stanford University. An ironic statement on Agassiz's scientific accomplishments and reputation. In the public domain; obtained from Wikimedia Commons.

Agassiz displayed a desire throughout his career to emulate other famous scientists. Cuvier was the first whom Agassiz followed, and Cuvier's belief in the fixity of species held Agassiz strongly. Agassiz also attempted to recreate the achievements of Humboldt and Darwin, but without the insight of either. Agassiz is best known in connection with development of the glacial theory. Here again, it could be argued that he made little original contribution. The basic concepts and field evidences for former expansion of glaciers were known to many naturalists of the early 19th century. Agassiz took this information and failed to acknowledge the contributions of other scientists, which led to bitter professional relationships. He expanded the concept of an ice age into a global catastrophy, an idea which was discredited eventually.

More on development of the glacial theory.

Agassiz was a provocative figure, one who dared to promote radical ideas�the existence of an ice sheet�at a time when little direct evidence was available. The modern ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica were then unknown features. Although his more extreme concepts eventually proved wrong, he still deserves credit for stimulating a great deal of scientific research and public awareness concerning earth history and the ice age. In , glacial Lake Agassiz (in North Dakota, Minnesota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) was named to recognize Agassiz's prominent role in developing the glacial theory.

Map of the extent of Lake Agassiz (colored in green) in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Manitoba and Ontario. Taken from Upham's () comprehensive report on Lake Agassiz. Click on small image to see a larger version. Image acquired from North Dakota State University Libraries.

Related Websites

Reference

• Upham, W. Glacial Lake Agassiz. U.S. Geological Survey, Monograph

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