1807-1873

Geologist, born in Môtier-Vully, Canton Fribourg. His original interest was in fossil fish; he subsequently turned his attention to glaciology. In 1837 he proposed the revolutionary idea that most of Eurasia had once been covered in ice. He moved to the US in 1846, initially for a lecture tour. This was so successful that a chair in zoology and geology was created for him at Harvard. He remained in the US for the rest of his life, continuing his research in both north and south America. He also worked to bring scientific knowledge closer to ordinary people, and promoted the establishment of the National Academy of Sciences. His memory is tainted with his belief shared by many of his contemporaries in the doctrine of white supremacy.