LOUIS AGASSIZ
Louis Agassiz signs a manuscript letter of apology.
Manuscript Letter Signed: "L Agassiz', 1p, 5x8. Cambridge,
Mass., 1873 May 28. On letterhead of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Begins: "My dear Sir". Agassiz has written: "C.W.
Galloupe, Esq." at lower left. In full: "I am very sorry that you
should have been troubled by the item enclosed in your note. It is entirely the
work of some person's imagination. I had never thought of the name and the only
change which gratitude to you could possibly suggest is the one of which I
spoke, namely to give her your name." Born in French-speaking Switzerland
and educated at European universities, Agassiz (1807-1873) accepted a
Professorship at Harvard (1848) and spent the rest of his life promoting
American science. He made highly influential studies of fossil fish and
glaciers, coining the term "Ice Age" to describe an ancient era of extensive
glaciation. Although his fossil studies were used by others to support Darwin's
Theory of Evolution, Agassiz never accepted that doctrine. He espoused
catastrophism, believing that new species emerged after such upheavals, and
defined a species as "a thought of God". Lightly creased. Folds, vertical fold
at the "iz" of signature. Tack head-size burn mark touches 2 letters of writing,
light rust stains at upper margin. Lightly soiled at lower margin and on verso
of integral leaf. Overall, fine condition.
For more documents by these signers click the names below:
LOUIS AGASSIZ
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