McGill Library
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Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Williams, L. White (Lewis White), 1804-1873
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1804-1873
History
Lewis White Williams was born on December 20, 1804, in East Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
He was a mineralogist and geologist. When the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Sciences was organized in 1826, he became one of its earliest and ardent members and chose mineralogy for his field of study. He collected and distributed many specimens from West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Williams also participated in expeditions into the neighbouring states and territories. In 1857, he was appointed assistant geologist and naturalist of The Camel Expedition to explore the territory from Texas to California. Williamsite, a variety of precious serpentine, was named after him in honour of his discovery.
He died on September 19, 1873, in West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.