University of Missouri - Savitar Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

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JSAVITARQ DR. LITTON

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l JSAVITARQ S'f?i4,.?H!'4-'.?HF'N.P'l4g79 VF Sb -ik 'Sb 1? 41.2 Sb we ik as as as as as as as as vslvslvgastvslwslzslfsl f' Bram Bitton, QYI. Q. HE subject of this sketch, though probably not known to a great number of our readers, has for many years been a warm friend of educational institutions and .especially of Missouri University, and it is because his liberality A to, and generous interest in, this University have not ff been properly recognized and appreciated that we have ff' decided to dedicate this volume ofthe Savitar to his Dr. Litton was born in Dublin, Ireland, May zo, 1814, and died in St. Louis September 22, 1901. He came to America in 1817 with his parents, residing for a short time in Pittsburg, after which he took up his residence in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Nashville University in 1831, and after having taught four years in Paris and jackson, Tennessee, he was made professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in that institution. Three years later he resigned this position in order to go to Europe and per- fect himself in chemistry. After spending a short time in Paris, Hei- delberg and Bonn he went to Giessen and worked with the great Liebig six months. Recommended by Liebig he was given the oppor- tunity to work in Rosa's laboratories in Berlin. He was also privi- leged to study with Wohler in Gottingen while abroad. When he returned to America he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacy in St. Louis Medical College. When the founders of the scientific school of Washington University were seek- ing a man capable of filling the chair of chemistry, they were referred by Dr. Horsford, of Harvard, to Dr. Litton. This aroused their inter- est in a man eminently qualified for the place, whose fame was abroad, but at home was overlooked because of his modest demeanor. He ac- cepted this position and held it for thirty-five years, resigning it in 1891. During this time he lectured in both Washington University and St. Louis Medical College. The University never had a more faithful, more competent, more loyal servant than this pure man, who, consecrating every effort of mind and body on chemical laws and the science of natural philosophy, gradually drifted away from the jealou- sies and the bickerings of an active life, where one jostles constantly . .pai X567 ,- fw '. 'll fw Xpv memor . lvl iq!! Y if fl 5