Rutland

KNOWLTON, Frank Hall

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, part III, 
pp 100-101

Frank Hall KNOWLTON, of Washington, D. C., was born 02 September 1860 at 
Brandon [Rutland County, Vermont], son of Julius A. and Mary Ellen (BLACKMER) 
KNOWLTON. Educated in the public schools of Brandon and Middlebury College, 
graduating from the latter institution in July 1884 with the degree of B. S., 
the first conferred by this college; in 1887 received M. S. degree from the 
same; in 1894 obtained Ph D., Columbian University, Washington, D. C. 
Immediately after graduation in August 1884, went to Washington, D. C. to 
become an assistant in the department of botany in the U. S. National Museum, 
a position which he held until July 1887, when he was made assistant curator 
of the department; continued in this position until April 1889, when he 
resigned to assume charge of the botany of the Century Dictionary, but his 
health failed, and the following six months, from July 1889, were spent in 
active field work in New Mexico, Arizona and California as assistant 
paleontologist of the U. S. Geological Survey.

In 1887 was elected professor of botany in Columbian University, Washington, 
D. C., which position he now holds. Was also engaged in preparing the 
botanical definitions for the Standard Dictionary, a work now approaching 
completion, and has written over 20,000 definitions for it. Is one of the 
editors of the "American Geologist," and has written many valuable scientific 
papers, notably, "Fossil Wood and Lignite of the Potomac Formation," "Fossil 
Wood of Arkansas," "Additions to the Flora of Washington," "Birds of Brandon, 
Vermont," and "Flora of Nushagak, Alaska." A complete bibliography of his 
works would number 125 articles, including papers and reviews. His 
contributions to leading scientific journals have been extensive and include 
the "American Journal of Science," the "American Geologist," the geological 
survey bulletin; "Journal of Geology," "The Auk," Proceedings, U. S. National 
Museum, Smithsonian Reports, "The Botanical Gazette," "Forest and Stream," 
"Garden and Forest," etc.

Has been elected to membership in the following societies: American 
Association for the Advancement of Science, American Geological Society, 
American Ornithologists Union, Society of Naturalists of Eastern United 
States, Sons of the American Revolution, and philosophical, biological, 
geological, botanical and ornithological societies of Washington, D. C. On 
27 September 1887 at Kingman [Kingman County], Kansas, Prof. [Frank Hall] 
KNOWLTON married Annie Sterling, daughter of William A. and Lydia MOORHEAD 
[submitter has assumed that "Sterling" is not a surname]; she died 26 January 
1890, leaving one child, Margaret. On 03 October 1893 at Laurel [Prince 
George's County], Maryland, he [Frank Hall KNOWLTON] was married a second 
time, to Rena Geniveve [Genevieve?], daughter of Isaac B. and Lizzie W. RUFF.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly