Dr. Gideon Lincecum
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Dr. Gideon Lincecum, a veteran of the war of 1812, internationally famous botanist, friend of Darwin. Born in Georgia April 22, 1793, died at Long Point, Washington County, Texas, November 28, 1873.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Dr. Gideon Lincecum, born in Georgia in 1793, served in the War of 1812 before becoming a self-taught frontier naturalist of international reputation. His studies of Texas plants and insects—especially the harvester ant—won him correspondents abroad, including Charles Darwin. He died at Long Point in Washington County, Texas, in 1873.
Why it matters
Lincecum shows how a self-educated frontier settler could contribute to the era's great scientific conversations, corresponding with the likes of Darwin.
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Related people
- · Gideon Lincecum
- · Charles Darwin
Themes & tags
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