Erasmus Haworth

Erasmus Haworth (1855–1932) was an American geologist.

Born on a farm near Indianola, Iowa, he graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor of science degree in 1883 (1881?) and received a master's degree there the following year. He received his doctoral degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1888. He taught at various colleges, and was appointed professor of geology and mineralogy at the University of Kansas in 1892, where he remained until 1920.

He organized the Kansas Geological Survey in 1894, and wrote several volumes of the survey from 1896 to 1904. He was state geologist from 1894 to 1915. In this position, he was instrumental in finding an ample water supply for Wichita and Newton. In 1903, he collected and analyzed a sample of gas later discovered by his colleagues to contain helium, in the abundant, economically feasible source of natural gas.

In the late 1890s and early 1900s, Haworth repeatedly used his position as state geologist to warn against investing in phony zinc and gold deposits in Trego and Ellis counties, Kansas. The politically influential promoters threatened to have Haworth fired from the University for his interference, but it eventually became clear that the deposits were an illusion and a swindle, and Haworth was vindicated. [Dan Plazak (2007) "The imaginary gold mines of Kansas", Mining History Journal, v.14, p.11-22.]

Haworth was connected with the United States Geological Survey, and wrote several of its bulletins as well as bulletins for the Missouri Geological Survey and annual bulletins of statistics of the mineralogy and geology of Kansas. He also worked professionally for the Union Pacific Railroad company in Wyoming and Kansas, and for private parties in Kansas and adjacent states. He was a fellow of the Geological Society of America and other scientific societies.

References

*Blackmar, Frank W., ed. "Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc.", vol. 1. Chicago: Standard Pub. Co., 1912. Retrieved July 10, 2006 from http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/h/haworth_erasmus.html, transcribed May 2002 by Carolyn Ward.
*American Chemical Society (2004). [http://acswebcontent.acs.org/landmarks/landmarks/helium/helium.html The Discovery of Helium in Natural Gas] . Retrieved July 10, 2006.
*DiZerega, Dottie. "Erasmus Haworth", a family history. Retrieved July 10, 2006 from http://www.haworthassociation.org/Bios/Erasmus/erasmus.htm, the Haworth Association of America.