Silliman, Benjamin (1779-1864), a leading American educator and scientist, founded the American Journal of Science in 1818. The journal at first published articles by scientists of many fields. Today, it contains only articles about geology. Silliman served as editor for more than 20 years. He also wrote a chemistry textbook and edited textbooks in chemistry and geology.
Silliman was born on Aug. 8, 1779, in North Stratford (now Trumbull), Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University. In 1802, he became Yale’s first professor of chemistry and natural history. He was best known for his research into the chemical composition of a meteorite that fell to the earth in 1807. His research helped prove that meteorites are made of materials that exist on the earth. He died on Nov. 24, 1864. The mineral sillimanite was named after Silliman.
