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Samuel S. Haldeman (1812-1880)

Conoy Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Marker Inscription

The internationally known scientist and philologist was born one-quarter mile south, in the mansion at Locust Grove. Built 1811 by his grandfather, John B. Haldeman, this was the younger man's home until he moved to Chickies, seven miles south, in 1835. Author of over 150 books and scientific papers, Haldeman taught and lectured widely.

Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The Story

Samuel S. Haldeman was born in 1812 a quarter-mile from here at Locust Grove, the Susquehanna-side mansion his grandfather built in 1811. A restlessly curious naturalist who later turned to the study of language, he produced more than 150 books and scientific papers and lectured across the country. His work bridged the natural sciences and philology at a time when American scholarship was coming into its own.

Why it matters

Haldeman exemplifies the nineteenth-century American polymath, contributing to both natural history and the young field of linguistics and earning an international scholarly reputation.

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Related people

  • ยท Samuel S. Haldeman
  • ยท John B. Haldeman

Themes & tags

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