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EDWARD HITCHCOCK was not the
only star in the firmament of American science and
philosophy in the nineteenth century, but he was
certainly one of the brightest. The son of a
hatter and farmer, he was raised among the wheat
and rye fields of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and
expected to pursue a farmer's life. But early on
he developed a "strong relish" for science. In his
teens he adopted his father's orthodox Christian
faith and began studying for the ministry. By age
twenty-five he had set a dual path for his life,
science and religion.

Although Hitchcock's
career as a pastor would be brief, preaching and
spreading the Gospel would remain his highest
calling. Nevertheless, his scientific impulses
could never be denied, his spiritual life could
not deflect him from the pursuit of scientific
truth. In that respect he was perhaps unique for
his time - and for today - for he saw no conflict
between science and religion. “When rightly interpreted and
understood,” he wrote, “they
will appear in perfect unison.”
Hitchcock is
best remembered for his pioneering work in
paleontology, particularly in deciphering the
fossilized tracks of the ancient creatures we know
today as dinosaurs. But he was also the first
State Geologist of Massachusetts and one of the
founders of the Association of American
Geologists, forerunner of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science.
Hitchcock was a lifelong advocate for higher
education. A professor at Amherst College for
nearly forty years, he was named president in 1845
and is credited
with saving that institution from dissolution. He promoted women's education
(so long as the sexes were educated separately,
of course!) and played a vital role in the
founding of Mount Holyoke College. He was also
an early proponent of agricultural education who
lobbied successfully for the establishment
at Amherst of Massachusetts Agricultural College,
known today as the University of Massachusetts.
For all Edward Hitchcock's contributions to
science, religion, and education in a young
America, his story has never been told - never,
that is, until now.
In All
the Light Here Comes from Above: The Life
and Legacy of Edward Hitchcock,
Massachusetts author Robert T. McMaster brings
Edward Hitchcock to life for his readers.
Relying largely on Hitchcock's own words from
his letters, notes, and other unpublished
manuscripts, McMaster presents an intimate view
of the man, his scientific achievements and his
theological writings, as well as his battles
with powerful personal demons that threatened
him at every turn. Each chapter is introduced
with a vignette, a scene from the life of Edward
Hitchcock or his family, that reveals the
humanity of the man with dignity, charm, and
humor.
Additional
Hitchcock resources are provided on these pages:
TRANSCRIPTIONS: Full
text of many of Hitchcock's unpublished works
including his sermons, notes, travel diaries, and essays, a total of
over 2000 pages, available here for the first
time.
RESOURCES:
Lists of
Hitchcock’s published works, works
cited, sermons, and descendants.
HITCHCOCKIANA:
News,
information, and anecdotes about Edward
Hitchcock and his
family added by
author Robert T. McMaster and updated
regularly.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Information on All
the Light Here Comes from Above:
The Life and Legacy of Edward
Hitchcock and a FREE
SAMPLE.
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