VIII.—A Geologist of the last Century. Dr. Ferdinand von Roemer, the Father of the Geology of Texas: his Life and Work

Extract

Ferdinand roemer, who has justly been called the “Father of the Geology of Texas,” was born at Hildesheim, Hanover, on January 5th, 1818. His early education was obtained at the Gymnasium Andreanum of that town, where, under the influence of his teacher, Dr. Muhlert, he developed a great fondness for science, especially in the line of natural history. His love of geology, however, was strongly developed by excursions with his eldest brother, F. A. Roemer, Frederic Hoffmann, and F. A. Quenstedt. Notwithstanding his predilection in this direction, he was induced by his brother, probably with the view of entering a well-established profession, to undertake the study of law. Accordingly, from 1836 to 1839 he was engaged in attending legal instruction at Göttingen, with the exception of the Summer semester of 1838, which was spent at Heidelberg. Still, the attraction of science was well-nigh irresistible. With the keenest pleasure he listened to Hausmann on geognosy, and when at Heidelberg the zoological instruction of Bronn was eagerly sought. His future calling was, however, to be decided in favour of his natural bent. As he was about to present himself for examination in the higher legal course, for political reasons—although he himself was an innocent party—certain difficulties were raised and he withdrew. Thus science gained a brilliant scholar and geology a zealous investigator.