Agassiz, Alexander (Emmanuel Rodolphe)

Agassiz, Alexander (Emmanuel Rodolphe)
born Dec. 17, 1835, Neuchâtel, Switz.
died March 27, 1910, at sea, mid-Atlantic Ocean

Swiss-born U.S. marine zoologist, oceanographer, and mining engineer.

The son of Louis Agassiz, he emigrated in 1849 to the U.S., where he conducted significant systematic zoological work on echinoderms (e.g., starfish). He developed and supervised what became the world's foremost copper mine (Calumet, Mich.) while also improving conditions for miners. He also pursued marine and coral reef studies. His observations made on an 1875 trip to the western coast of South America led him to challenge Charles Darwin's theory of coral reef formation.

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▪ Swiss scientist
born Dec. 17, 1835, Neuchâtel, Switz.
died March 27, 1910, at sea
 marine zoologist, oceanographer, and mining engineer who made important contributions to systematic zoology, to the knowledge of ocean beds, and to the development of a major copper mine.

      Son of the Swiss naturalist Louis Agassiz, he joined his father in 1849 in the U.S., where he studied engineering and zoology at Harvard University. His early research on echinoderms (e.g., starfish) resulted in his most significant work in the area of systematic zoology, the Revision of the Echini (1872–74).

      From 1866 to 1869 Agassiz was the superintendent of a copper mine near Lake Superior, at Calumet, Mich.; he eventually became president of the mine, retaining that position until his death, by which time he had changed an initially unprofitable operation into the world's foremost copper mine. Agassiz instituted modern machinery and safety devices, pension and accident funds for miners, and sanitary measures for surrounding communities. He donated large sums to the Harvard Museum, of which he was curator from 1874 to 1885, and to other institutions engaged in advancing the study of biology.

      Agassiz opened a private biological laboratory at Newport, R.I., soon after closing his father's experimental school of biology on Penikese Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, following the death of Louis Agassiz (1873). On a trip along the west coast of South America (1875), he discovered a coral reef 3,000 feet above sea level, an observation that appeared to contradict Charles Darwin's theory of coral-reef formation, in which he postulated a rate of coral formation identical with the rise of sea level. He continued his marine and coral-reef studies for more than 25 years, making expeditions in various waters, including the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Agassiz, Alexander (Emmanuel Rodolphe) — (17 dic. 1835, Neuchâtel, Suiza–27 mar. 1910, océano Atlántico). Zoólogo marino, oceanógrafo e ingeniero de minas estadounidense de origen suizo. Hijo de Louis Agassiz, emigró en 1849 a EE.UU., donde realizó una labor zoológica importante y… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Agassiz — Agassiz, Alexander Agassiz, Louis * * * (as used in expressions) Agassiz, Alexander (Emmanuel Rodolphe) Agassiz, Elizabeth Cabot Agassiz, (Jean) Louis (Rodolphe) …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Emmanuel — Emmanuel, Maurice Emmanuel, Pierre (del heb. immānū ēl) ► BIBLIA Uno de los nombres con que se designa a Jesucristo en las profecías. * * * (as used in expressions) Agassiz, Alexander (Emmanuel Rodolphe) Chabrier, (Alexis) Emmanuel Joel Emmanuel… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Alexander — Alexander, Christopher Alexander, islas de Alexander, sir Harold * * * (as used in expressions) William Alexander Abbott Agassiz, Alexander (Emmanuel Rodolphe) Alexander, archipiélago Alexander, Harold (Rupert Leofric George) Alexander, 1 conde… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Agassiz — /ag euh see/; for 2 also Fr. /ann gann see /, n. 1. Alexander, 1835 1910, U.S. oceanographer and marine zoologist, born in Switzerland. 2. his father, (Jean) Louis (Rodolphe) /zhahonn lwee rddaw dawlf /, 1807 73, U.S. zoologist and geologist,… …   Universalium

  • Emmanuel — /i man yooh euhl/, for 1, 2; Fr. /e mann nyuu el / for 3, n. 1. Jesus Christ, esp. as the Messiah. Matt. 1:23. 2. Immanuel. 3. Pierre /pyerdd/, born 1916, French poet. * * * (as used in expressions) Agassiz Alexander Emmanuel Rodolphe Chabrier… …   Universalium

  • alexander — /al ig zan deuhr, zahn /, n. (often cap.) a cocktail made with crème de cacao with gin or brandy (brandy alexander) and sweet cream. [1925 30; prob. after the proper name] * * * (as used in expressions) Agassiz Alexander Emmanuel Rodolphe… …   Universalium

  • Alexander — /al ig zan deuhr, zahn /, n. 1. See Alexander the Great. 2. Also, Alexandros. Class. Myth. Homeric name for Paris. 3. Franz /frants, franz, frahnts/, 1891 1964, U.S. psychoanalyst, born in Hungary. 4. Grover Cleveland …   Universalium

  • Liste de zoologistes — Attention, il n est pas d usage en zoologie d utiliser d abréviation pour les noms des auteurs (contrairement aux usages de la botanique, voir ici). Cette liste ne constitue pas une liste officielle. Nous attirons l attention du lecteur sur son… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Liste De Zoologistes —  Attention, il n est pas d usage en zoologie d utiliser d abréviation pour les noms des auteurs (contrairement aux usages de la botanique, voir ici). Cette liste ne constitue pas une liste officielle. Nous attirons l attention du lecteur sur …   Wikipédia en Français

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