John Merle Coulter

Coulter

John Merle Coulter, Ph. D. (November 20, 1851 – December 23, 1928) was an American botanist and educator.[1][2]:57–9 In his career in education administration, Coulter is notable for serving as the president of Indiana University and Lake Forest College and the head of the Department of Botany at the University of Chicago.

Early Life & Education

John Merle Coulter was born in Ningpo, China to missionary parents Caroline Elvira Crowe and Moses Stanley Coulter. His brother was the botanist Stanley Coulter. He graduated from Hanover College in Indiana receiving the degree A.B. in 1870, A.M. in 1873, and Ph.D. in 1883.[3]:471 Indiana University conferred a pro merito Ph.D. to Coulter in 1884 while he was serving as Professor of Botany at Wabash College.[3]:472 He married Georgie M. Gaylord of Delphi, Indiana on January 1, 1874.[3]:474

Career

John Merle Coulter held the following positions:

Memberships in scientific societies

In 1901, Coulter was the general secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and in 1918 served as the Association's president. From 1897 to 1898, he was the president of the Botanical Society of America.[3]:472

Survival of the sinking of The Republic

In 1909, Coulter and his wife, along with their children Grace and Merle, survived the sinking of the White Star liner Republic in which six were killed.

Notable works

John Merle Coulter's published works include:

In 1875, Coulter founded the Botanical Gazette and thereafter continued to be its editor.[3]:474

Legacy & Contributions

As president of Indiana University

Coulter's student, Henry Chandler Cowles played a significant role in documenting the ecological importance of the Indiana Dunes.[4] Many conservationists attempted to preserve parts of the Indiana Dunes.[4][5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "COULTER, John Merle". The International Who's Who in the World: p. 319. 1912.
  2. ↑ Makers of American Botany, Harry Baker Humphrey, Ronald Press Company, Library of Congress Card Number 61-18435
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Myers, Burton Dorr (1951). Officers of Indiana University 1820-1950. Indiana University.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2009). The Historical Roots of the Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation. The South Shore Journal, 3. http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-3-2009/83-journals/vol-3-2009/75-the-historical-roots-of-the-nature-conservancy-in-the-northwest-indianachicagoland-region-from-science-to-preservation
  5. ↑ Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2006). Alice Gray, Dorothy Buell, and Naomi Svihla: Preservationists of Ogden Dunes. The South Shore Journal, 1. http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-1-2006/78-journals/vol-1-2006/117-alice-gray-dorothy-buell-and-naomi-svihla-preservationists-of-ogden-dunes
  6. ↑ Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2007). The cultural impact of a museum in a small community: The Hour Glass of Ogden Dunes. The South Shore Journal, 2. http://www.southshorejournal.org/index.php/issues/volume-2-2007/82-journals/vol-2-2007/104-the-cultural-impact-of-a-museum-in-a-small-community-the-hour-glass-in-ogden-dunes
  7. ↑ "Author Query for 'J.M.Coult.'". International Plant Names Index.

External links

Academic offices
Preceded by
David Starr Jordan		 President of Indiana University
1891–1893 		Succeeded by
Joseph Swain