The Agassiz Association was a society founded in 1875 for the study of natural science, named for Swiss-American naturalist

Louis Agassiz Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz ( ; ) FRS (For) FRSE (May 28, 1807 – December 14, 1873) was a Swiss-born American biologist and geologist who is recognized as a scholar of Earth's natural history. Spending his early life in Switzerland, he rec ...

. Its founder and first president was

Harlan Hoge Ballard Harlan Hoge Ballard ( – ) was an American author. He was founder of the Agassiz Association and served as librarian of the Berkshire Athenaeum for 46 years. Life Harlan Hoge Ballard was born on in Athens, Ohio. He was the son of the Rev. ...

(1853–1934).

History

According to its Constitution, the Agassiz Association's purpose was "to collect, study, and preserve natural objects and facts." Each Chapter of the Association was allowed to choose its own officers and make its own by-laws. By 1880 there were chapters in Massachusetts, New York State, and Pennsylvania. By 1884 the Association had about 7000 members and about 600 Chapters. For some years, ''

St. Nicholas Magazine ''St. Nicholas Magazine'' was a popular monthly American children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873. The first editor was Mary Mapes Dodge, who continued her association with the magazine until her death in 1905. Dodge published work by th ...

'' was the official organ of communication between the Association and its members. The Association was incorporated in 1892. Ballard's successor as president was Edward F. Bigelow. The

American Fern Society The American Fern Society was founded in 1893. Today, it has more than 1,000 members around the world, with various local chapters. Among its deceased members, perhaps the most famous is Oliver Sacks, who became a member in 1993. Willard N. Clut ...

and the

Wilson Ornithological Society The Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS) is an ornithology, ornithological organization that was formally established in 1886 as the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. It is based at the Museum of Zoology, University of Michig ...

originated as Chapters of the Agassiz Association.

Natural theology

References

Scientific societies based in the United States 1875 establishments in Massachusetts Scientific organizations established in 1875 Defunct clubs and societies of the United States Clubs and societies in the United States Organizations established in 1875 {{science-org-stub