
WATCH A ZOOMTALK
Recorded Zoom presentations on the
life and legacy of Edward Hitchcock with
author Robert T. McMaster are available below:
EDWARD
HITCHCOCK AND THE RISE OF AMERICAN GEOLOGY:
Hitchcock's role in the development of geology in
America including his Massachusetts geological
survey, his role in the founding of the
Association of American Geologists, and his early
embrace of Agassiz's theory of continental
glaciation. 15 minutes.
EDWARD
HITCHCOCK'S FOSSIL FOOTMARKS:
Without a doubt Hitchcock's most enduring legacy
is his research on the fossil footmarks of the
Connecticut Valley. He was often ridiculed for his
"avian hypothesis" both in his own time and into
the 20th century, but recent findings on the
phylogeny of the dinosaurs have restored his
reputation as a true pioneer in paleontology. 14
minutes.
EDWARD
HITCHCOCK ON SCIENCE AND FAITH:
Edward Hitchcock's greatest hope was that he could
convince fellow scientists, clergymen, and the
general public that science and religion need not
be enemies. His views on the relationship between
science and faith have as much relevance today as
they did a century and a half ago. 18 minutes.
THE
SERMONS OF EDWARD HITCHCOCK:
Before Edward Hitchcock achieved fame as a
geologist, paleontologist, and college professor,
he was a preacher. Over 200 of his sermons
survive, most as hand-written manuscripts, and
they reveal a great deal about the man, his faith,
and the times in which he lived. 17 minutes.
EDWARD HITCHCOCK'S TREE
OF LIFE:
The frontispiece of Hitchcock's Elementary
Geology, first published in 1840, is an
intricate "tree of life," probably the work of
Orra White Hitchcock. He labeled it
"Palaeontological Chart" and it reveals a great
deal of his thinking at the time about the
diversity and relationships among living things.
Interestingly, it has attracted more attention
from historians of science than the remainder of
that important and pioneering text. 13 minutes.
EDWARD HITCHCOCK: THE
UNTOLD STORY: A presentation
exploring the life and legacy of Edward
Hitchcock in geology, paleontology, higher
education, and science and religion. 62 minutes.
LIVE
ZOOM
SESSIONS
Hitchcock biographer Robert T.
McMaster is available to meet with high school and
college classes, book clubs, libraries, and
historical societies on Zoom. He will answer
questions from readers, discuss his research and
writing process, and bring listeners up to date on
some new insights and information that has come to
light since the publication of All the Light
Here Comes from Above.
Contact him for details or to
schedule a session at robertmcmaster24 (at)
gmail.com.
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