A botanical dictionary, being a translation from the French of Louis-Claude Richard, professor of botany at the medical school in Paris, with additions from Martyn, Smith, Milne, Wildenow, Acharius, &c.
New-Haven: Hezieiah Howe, 1817. First edition of the first separately published botanical dictionary in the United States, 12mo, pp. vi, [7]-14, [160]; includes the final leaf of Howe ads for botanical works; recent half calf over marbled boards, gilt-ruled spine; dampstains in gutter, some offsetting; very good and sound. The work was translated by Amos Eaton (1776-1842) who gave up law to study botany, and "placed himself under the tutelage of Professors Ives [to whom the book is dedicated] and Silliman of Yale." In 1817 he moved to Massachusetts and began a series of public lectures on botany and geology. He helped establish the N.Y. State Geological Survey, and made a geological and agricultural survey of Albany and Van Rensselaer counties. Eaton, "through his enthusiasm did more perhaps than any one man of his time in arousing a popular interest in science" (see DAB). Shaw & Shoemaker 40721. Item #53908
Price: $375.00
