The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Orton, James

ORTON, James, American Congregational clergyman, naturalist and traveler: b. Seneca Falls, N. Y., 21 April 1830; d. on Lake Titicaca, Peru, 25 Sept. 1877. He was graduated from Williams College in 1855, pursued theological studies at Andover and entered the ministry in 1860. He was professor of natural science in Rochester University in 1866, and the next year conducted an exploring party of students across South America, on the geology and physical history of which he was an authority. He was professor of natural history in Vassar College 1869-73, and at the time of his death was attached to an exploring expedition in Peru. His works include &lsquo;The Andes and the Amazon&rsquo; (1870); &lsquo;Underground Treasures&rsquo; (1872); &lsquo;Liberal Education of Women&rsquo; (1873); &lsquo;Comparative Zoology&rsquo; (1875).