Lewton, Frederick L. (Frederick Lewis), 1874-1959

Close
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.
Print
 

Biographical History

Frederick L. Lewton (1874-1959) was born on March 17, 1874, in Cleveland, Ohio. His family relocated to Florida when Lewton was two years old. He graduated from Rollins College in 1890, and went on to Philadelphia to attend an engineering school. After a year, he transferred to Drexel University. He was appointed as the instructor for chemistry during night school and was a laboratory assistant in chemistry and physics during the day. In 1896, Lewton became an economic botanist at the Commercial Museum. There he investigated the chemical composition, solubility, and botanical affiliation of over five hundred specimens of gums and resins. His research resulted in publications in German and American science journals. He then returned to school to take the Civil Service exam, and began his work as a scientific assistant of botany for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While he was working, he attended George Washington University and graduated in 1922. He then went to the South and studied pests for eight years. After that he went to the United States National Museum and became curator of Textiles and Medicine. In 1929, Lewton's wife died, and after remarrying, he moved to Florida. In May 1954, Lewton was appointed part-time archivist and historian at Rollins College. He worked there until his death on May 7, 1959.

Related entities

  • United States Dept. of Agriculture: He worked as an assistant of botany for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • United States National Museum: He worked for the United States National Museum and became curator of Textiles and Medicine.

Birth Date

1874

Death Date

1959

Topic

Botany

Form/Genre

Personal name

Occupation

Botanists