User:Chewey93/Thomas Green Clemson sandbox

Early Life and Education

Born in Philadelphia, Clemson was the son of Thomas Green Clemson, III and Elizabeth Baker. He is a descendent from Quaker roots and his mother was Episcopalian. Because of this mixed religious background Clemson's exact religion is unknown . In 1813, his father passed away, and his father’s second cousin John Gest was appointed guardian over him and his five siblings. Clemson was one beneficiary oh his father’s $100,000 life savings, which was split up between him and his siblings. There is not much known about his home life, but his schooling started in the winter of 1814, as he , as well as the older Clemson’s, attended day school at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. There is no knowledge as to exactly how long Thomas attended day school, but his next schooling venture began in 1823. From 1823-1825, Clemson was educated at Alden Partridge's Military Academy in Vermont, also known as Norwich University.It is known that Clemson’s older brother, who had recently graduated from Princeton, had sent Thomas a letter outlining the courses and subjects that he should study. He completed those studies sometime in late 1825, but the exact month is not certain. What is known, however, is that he went back to Philadelphia in 1825 and he started studying Mineralogy. Later on, sometime in 1826, Clemson left for Paris, France. His departure date, the ship name, and where exactly he landed in France is unknown, as well as when he returned to Philadelphia.

Paris, France

Not much is documented from the beginning of his trip to Paris that started in 1826. A letter that he wrote to his Mother did not include anything about his scientific study but did vaguely reference that he had a particular interest in expanding his knowledge. In addition, the letter states that if he were to die he wants all of his wealth to be left to his mother and then after she passes it be left to any sister who is not married. Later on in 1829, Clemson wrote a letter to Benjamin Silliman, M.D., about his research of Iron Ore. In 1826-27, he expanded his knowledge of practical laboratory chemistry while working with chemist Gaultier de Clowbry. He soon furthered his chemistry study by working with other Parisian chemists. Following his time there he traveled to Europe and was further trained at Sorbonne and the Royal School of Mines. He received his diploma as an assayer from the Royal Mint . Upon his return to the U.S., he co-authored significant legislation to promote agricultural education. With knowledge of both French and German, he served as U.S. charge d'affaires to Belgium from 1844 to 1851. Because of his education, historians have called Clemson "a quintessential nineteenth-century Renaissance man.”

Diplomatic Career

Clemson, through representation of the United States government, served as the chargé d’affaires to Belgium starting October 4, 1844 and ending January 8, 1852. He received the position largely due to his father in-law John C. Calhoun. Calhoun, currently, was the Secretary of State under the Taylor Administration. President Taylor had given the task of filling the position to Calhoun, who quickly nominated his son in-law Clemson. Clemson was more than qualified to serve this position for the government. From his time spent in Paris studying, he picked up on European culture and their way of living. In addition, the time there also gave him a feel for continental problems and thinking. It goes on from there, with his extensive knowledge of not just Belgium’s but the vast majority of Europe’s, economics, politics, and social life, he was better able to connect the United States to Belgium, as well as the other European countries. In his time in Belgium, only one treaty was passed by the two countries. The treaty was the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation. The treaty, which was set to last ten years, removed trade and tariff restrictions between the two countries. This led to an increase in commerce between the United States and Belgium.(70-79)

Agricultural Studies

In 1843, Thomas purchased a 1000 acre plot of land in the Edgefield district in South Carolina. Named “Canebrake” due to the vast amount of dense and thick canes along the riverbank, the land, as well as the twenty slaves he placed there, had an estimated cost of $24,000. Though this plot of land did not do well while Clemson was abroad in Belgium, he was furthering his studies in the field of Agriculture. He successfully translated the lengthy article “Extraction of Sugar from the Beet”, written by Professor Melsens, a professor at one of Belgium’s State colleges, from French to English. Upon his return from Belgium, in 1853 Clemson purchased a small 100 acre piece of land in Maryland which he called “The Home”. The advantages for Clemson to live in Maryland, not too far from Washington, was the ability to get better access to utilities and resources for his research, studies, and experiments. While there, his studies in Agricultural Chemistry led to findings that were published in scientific journals, such as The American Farmer. In addition, he attended the meetings of both the Maryland and the United States Agricultural Societies. With that, he did a study of cattle disease. The disease showed that when cattle came from the North to the South get the disease, whereas cattle going from the South to the North give the disease. This brought out the knowledge to Texas fever, which was the disease observed by Clemson. His findings and distinction as a scientist got him an invitation to speak at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington in 1858. Clemson was an active member in the society of agricultural development for plenty of years to come as more of his documents became published.(91-98)

Children

Thomas Green Clemson and his wife Anna Calhoun Clemson had four children. Their first child, whose name is not known, died as an infant in 1839. In 1841, John Calhoun Clemson was born. Shortly after in 1842, Anne Clemson gave birth to her daughter Floride Elizabeth Clemson. At age 15, John was getting treatment for a Spinal condition in Northampton, Massachusetts. Around this time, the Clemson’s were having health problems with another child. Cornelia “nina” Clemson was born in October of 1855, but just a few years into her life in 1858, she died from Scarlet fever. On July 23, 1871, their daughter Floride passed away. Not shortly after, in less than three weeks, tragedy struck the family again as Clemson’s only son John passed away on August 10, 1871.(31-32/154/248/297)