The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Beck, Lewis Caleb

BECK, Lewis Caleb, American scientist: b. Schenectady, N. Y., 4 Oct. 1798; d. Albany, N. Y., 20 April 1853. A man of remarkable and wide scientific attainments he graduated at Union College 1817, and became professor of chemistry and natural history at Rutgers College 1830-37 and 1838-53; professor of chemistry and pharmacy at Albany Medical College 1841-53; and was also State mineralogist of New York 1835-41. His publications include &lsquo;Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri&rsquo; (1823); &lsquo;Salt Springs at Salina&rsquo; (1826); &lsquo;Mineralogy of New York&rsquo; (1842), his most important work; and &lsquo;Botany of the United States North of Virginia&rsquo; (1848). Consult Gross, &lsquo;American Medical Biography.&rsquo;