4 Edward Livi7igston Youmans. 



schooling and long years of blindness, developed into 

 a teacher of science. I have called his work unobtru- 

 sive ; we shall see how multifarious and potent it came 

 to be, and what rare qualities of intellect and of char- 

 acter it required and displayed. We shall witness his 

 profound conviction of the value of scientific knowl- 

 edge in promoting the welfare of the people. He 

 found that most needful knowledge monopolized by 

 a few specially trained persons; his warm, popular 

 sympathies urged him to do what he could to make 

 the multitude sharers in the priceless possession. By 

 tongue and pen, on the platform and through the 

 press, he worked with devoted energy in this noble 

 cause, until he had done more than any other Ameri- 

 can of his time to diffuse a knowledge of science and 

 an appreciation of scientific methods among the 

 American people. He did more than any one else to 

 prepare the way in America for the great scientific 

 awakening which first became visible after the publi- 

 cation of The Origin of Species. In Youmans the 

 approaching better era found its John the Baptist. 



Edward Livingston Youmans was born in the 

 town of Coeymans, Albany County, N. Y., on the 3d 

 of June, 1821. From his father and mother, both of 

 whom survived him, he inherited strong traits of 

 character as well as an immense fund of vital energy. 

 His father, Vincent Youmans, was a man of independ- 

 ent character, strong convictions, and perfect moral 

 courage, with a quick and ready tongue, in the use of 

 which earnestness and frankness perhaps sometimes 

 prevailed over prudence. The mother, Catherine Sco- 

 field, was notable for balance of judgment, prudence, 

 and tact. Her maternal grandfather was Irish ; and, 



