Constantine Samuel Rafinesque
1783–1840
Naturalist and archaeologist. Until 1814, called himself Rafinesque-Schmaltz, using his mother’s maiden name. Lived in Palermo, Sicily, 1805–15, where for a time he was secretary and chancellor to the American consul. Emigrated to the United States in 1815. Professor of botany, natural history, and modern languages, Transylvania University, Kentucky, 1818–26. Wrote prolifically, but his writings were erratic and his descriptions of plants and fishes often inaccurate.
Sources
DAB
DSB.
Bibliography
DAB: Dictionary of American biography. Under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies. 20 vols., index, and 10 supplements. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons; Simon & Schuster Macmillan. London: Oxford University Press; Humphrey Milford. 1928–95.
DSB: Dictionary of scientific biography. Edited by Charles Coulston Gillispie and Frederic L. Holmes. 18 vols. including index and supplements. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1970–90.
