HORSFORD FAMILY PAPERS, 1681-1954 (1840-1893 bulk)

Biographical Chronology of Eben Norton Horsford

ENH = Eben Norton Horsford

Eben Norton Horsford

July 27, 1818

Born to Jerediah and Maria Chary Horsford at Moscow, NY.

1838

Graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering.

1838-1840

Worked with James Hall on the Geographical Survey of New York State.

1840 - 1844

Appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the Albany Female Academy.

1840-1844

Delivered an annual course of lectures on chemistry at Newark College, Newark, Delaware.

1844-1846

ENH studied in Giessen, Germany under Justus von Liebig.

1847

Appointed Rumford Professor of Chemistry at the newly established Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University.

Aug. 4, 1847

Married Mary L’Hommedieu Gardiner, daughter of Samuel Gardiner at Shelter Island, NY.

Sep. 18, 1848

Birth of daughter Mary Leila (Lilian) Horsford.

Oct. 24, 1850

Birth of daughter Mary Katherine (Kate) Horsford.

July 9, 1852

Birth of daughter Gertrude Hubbard Horsford.

1854

Became a partner in the George F. Wilson Company later renamed the Rumford Chemical Works in Providence, Rhode Island.  Rumford Chemical Works produced Horsford’s chemical discoveries including baking powder or yeast powder, acid phosphate and anti-chlorine.

Aug. 27, 1855

Birth of daughter Mary Gardiner Horsford.

Nov. 1855

Death of wife Mary.

July 22, 1857

Married Phoebe Dalton Gardiner, Mary’s sister.

Sep. 25, 1860

Birth of daughter Cornelia Conway Felton Horsford.

1863

Resigned from the Rumford Professorship to pursue interests in food chemistry, research and manufacturing.

1873

Appointed a member of the United States Scientific Commission for the Vienna Exposition.  ENH, Lilian and Kate tour Europe.

1877

ENH became president of Wellesley College’s Board of Visitors.  He became a well known benefactor of the College endowing the library and supporting sabbatical leaves for professors.

1880

Traveled to Europe with Lilian and Cornelia and made an extended stay in Norway.

1880-1881

Traveled by private railroad car to California with H.F. Durant, Julian Taylor, Annie Longfellow, Lilian and Cornelia. 

Jan. 1, 1893

ENH died in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery.