Thomas Egleston

Professor Thomas Egleston eminently deserved a high reputation at home and abroad as an authority in mining engineering and mineralogy. After graduating at Yale in 1854 he learned the true bent of his mind and pursued his studies for six years at the School of Mines in Paris, where he was recognized as a student of rare promise and received the highest honors of his class. On his return he was appointed custodian of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, and in 1863 established the School of Mines at Columbia University, conducted the mineralogical department of that institution for thirty-four years, and was recognized and honored by the whole scientific world.

He was a founder of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, of the American Metrological Society, and was intimately associated with the National Academy of Sciences for many years. In recognition of his distinguished record he received many honors, among them the decoration of an officier of the Legion of Honor. He wrote many books upon the subjects of his research, most of which were published in several different languages. He was always a conscientious, earnest worker in the line of his profession, in which he was absorbed, but found time to devote to church and philanthropic work, and was held in high regard in the circle in which he moved, which was of the best, and he shed increased distinction upon an honored family name.

Henry E. Howland
1901 Century Association Yearbook