430 CHARLES THOMAS JACKSON. 



CHARLES THOMAS JACKSON. 



Charles Thomas Jackson was born at Plymouth, Mass., June 

 21, 1805. He studied medicine at the Medical School of Harvard 

 University, and in 1829 received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 

 Soon after he visited Europe to complete his studies, and at Paris 

 formed the acquaintance of men eminent in science, and, among others, 

 of the celebrated geologist, Elie de Beaumont, who exerted a marked 

 influence on his subsequent career. Before completing his course at 

 the Medical School, he had already manifested a strong interest in 

 geology, mineralogy, and chemistry ; and, in company with his friend, 

 Mr. Francis Alger, had explored a considerable portion of Nova 

 Scotia. The special interests and aptitudes thus manifested drew him 

 away from the practice of medicine, and led him to devote himself to 

 scientific study, and to the solution of problems in practical science. 

 He was one of the first in this country to establish a chemical labora- 

 tory for students, as well as for commercial work. Several of Doctor 

 Jackson's early students became subsequently highly distinguished ; 

 and the numerous practical problems which were successfully solved 

 in his laboratory gave to him a wide reputation as an expert in geology 

 and chemistry. 



Doctor Jackson was elected a Fellow of this Academy in 1837. He 

 had previously published in our Memoirs (New Series, Vol. I.), in con- 

 nection with Mr. Francis Alger, an extended paper upon the " Miner- 

 alogy and Geology of Nova Scotia ; " and he subsequently contributed 

 to our " Proceedings," " Remarks upon a large Vein of Phosphate of 

 Lime, found at Hurdstown, New Jersey;" "Analyses of "Water;" 

 " Analysis of Bornite for Georgia ; " " Results of an Examination of 

 the Frozen Well at Brandon, Vermont;" "Analysis of Meteoric Iron 

 from Dacotah." 



Of the Natural History Society of Boston, Doctor Jackson was 

 one of the earliest and most active members. He held several of its 

 offices, and was for many years one of its Vice-Presidents. To this 

 society he made very frequent communications ; and in its " Proceed- 

 ings," from their first publication in 1811 until he became enfeebled by 

 illness, there may be found constantly recurring notices of the part 

 taken by him in the discussions at its meetings. His contributions to 

 the "American Journal of Science" were likewise numerous; and 

 among the papers which occur in one or the other of these publica- 

 tions may be mentioned, Analyses of the Mineral Waters of the 



