James Hall

James Hall(1811-1898): Paleontologist & Geologist

Father of modern geology, founder of the New York State Museum

Photo from life New York State Museum

James Hall was the pre-eminent geologist and paleontologist in 19th-century America. He founded the State Museum and served an unprecedented six decades, holding both positions of state geologist and paleontologist.

He visited the site himself when "some unknown beast" was discovered at Harmony Mills in Cohoes. He was responsible for bringing to the State Museum the Cohoes Mastodon in 1866. It became the museum's most popular draw and the institution's iconic specimen. It has been on display for 147 years.

Hall secured his legacy by publishing the seminal 13-volume masterwork, "The Paleontology of New York." Another lasting contribution was his work on the geosyncline concept of mountain-building, which found that sediment buildup in a shallow basin causes the basin to sink, simultaneously forcing the adjacent area to rise.

Hall was widely revered for his perennial battles with the state Legislature, and he argued vigorously for increasing funding for scientific research. His colleagues hailed him as a headstrong, single-minded and tenacious advocate of their work.

Hall was born in Hingham, Mass., the oldest of four children born to James Hall Sr. and Sousanna Dourdain Hall, who emigrated from England. He developed an early interest in nature and studied sea life in tidal inlets and collected shells along the Massachusetts shore. He enrolled in the Rensselaer School in Troy (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today), and studied natural sciences under noted geologist Amos Eaton. Hall graduated with honors in 1832, earned a master's degree the next year and was hired as an assistant professor of chemistry and natural sciences at the school. In 1836, he was made full professor of geology. He did survey work for Stephen Van Rensselaer, the "last patroon" and founder of RPI.

He was hired for a four-year survey project funded by the state Legislature that collected information on the geology and natural history of New York. Hall was teamed with acclaimed geologist Ebenezer Emmons and he traversed the Adirondack Mountains and western New York, gathering fossils and many types of specimens.

At the conclusion of the survey in 1841, Hall had proven his skills and was named the first state geologist. He and his wife, Sarah, settled in Albany where he spent his entire career in state service.

In 1870, the New York State Museum of Natural History was created, and Hall was appointed its first director. In 1893, a law was passed that appointed Hall state geologist and paleontologist for life. He also published a massive and influential volume, "Geology of New York," which remains a classic work in the field.

By Paul Grondahl Times Union