• Born: 17 Dec 1797, Albany NY
• Died: 13 May 1878

  General notes:

Silversmith and watchmaker

  Events in his life were:

• Apprenticed in 1810 to William Selkirk in Albany NY
  
  While still training, he took an interest in science at the age of sixteen after reading a book of lectures on scientific topics titled Popular Lectures on Experimental Philosophy. In 1819, he left his master and entered The Albany Academy, where he was given free tuition. He excelled at his studies and was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy there in 1826. His research on magnetism led to his invention of the first true electromagnet, which opened the way for the electric motor and telegraph.