John Leonard Riddell

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John Leonard Riddell (February 20, 1807 – October 7, 1865) was a science lecturer, botanist, geologist, medical doctor, chemist, microscopist, numismatician, politician, and science fiction author in the United States. He was born in Leyden, Massachusetts, the son of John Riddell and Lephe Gates. He received his B.A. and M.A. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from professor Amos Eaton and his M.D. from Cincinnati College.[1]

He lectured in Ogdensburg, New York, and then in Philadelphia, Cincinnati and finally at the Medical College of Louisiana in New Orleans.

He published a science fiction story giving an account of a fictional former student named Orrin Lindsay who travelled to the moon and Mars.[2]

Following his botanical explorations of Texas, he was appointed melter and refiner of the New Orleans Mint, a position confirmed by President John Tyler following an internal mint dispute. He likewise was appointed Postmaster of New Orleans, which position he held even during the Civil War despite Confederate appointments intended to displace him.[3]

Active in local and state politics, he seems to have claimed to have been elected Governor of Louisiana in November, 1863 and sworn in by a Justice of the Peace in January, 1864. During this time the military Governor George F. Shepley was still in actual power. His governorship was rejected in the course of a Congressional inquiry into a contested election in the House.[4]

The standard author abbreviation Riddell is used to indicate this individual as the author when citing a botanical name.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ American National Biography, Oxford Univ. Press, 2004
  2. ^ The Early Career of John L. Riddell as a Science Lecturer in the 19th Century, Ralph W. Dexter,OHIO J. SCI. 88 (5): 184-188, 1988
  3. ^ American National Biography, Oxford Univ. Press, 2004
  4. ^ United States Congressional Serial Set by United States Government Printing Office - 38th Cong. 1865 p.582
  5. ^ Brummitt, R. K.; C. E. Powell (1992). Authors of Plant Names. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-085-4. 

[edit] External links

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