Quotes:Hare, Robert

Zirkoff, Boris

Hare, Robert. American chemist, b. at Philadelphia, Jan. 17, 1781; d. May 15, 1858. His father, also Robert, served in the Pennsylvania legislature and was trustee of Pennsylvania University. Robert was educated at home and studied chemistry under James Woodhouse. For some years he managed his father’s brewery, devoting his spare time to chemical research. Discovered, 1801, the oxy-hydrogen blow-pipe, source of the highest degree of heat then known, which led to the founding of the platinum industry. At this time he formed a close friendship with Benjamin Silliman which became almost a partnership in research. Elected, 1816, Prof. of Chemistry at the Univ. of Penna. His greatest interest was in electricity; he invented the calorimeter and the deflagrator for generating a high electric current; we owe to him also the use of the mercury cathode in electrolysis, and new methods for the analysis and synthesis of gases. Hare was a vigorous contributor to the American Journal, of Science. On his retirement in 1847, he gave his collection of apparatus to the Smithsonian Institution and was elected honorary member of that body. Apart from his various scientific papers and pamphlets, he published under the pen-name of “Eldred Grayson” a novel, Standish the Puritan. (1850). Hare was one of the first eminent men of science who, setting out to expose the delusions of Spiritualism, became firm believers instead. This happened in 1853. Being a strong sceptic himself, he experimented for himself, and like William Crookes at a later date, devised apparatus to use with the mediums. He embodied his research in his work, Experimental Investigation of the Spirit Manifestations, etc. (New York: Partridge & Brittan, 1855, 460 pp., 2 portraits). This report led to a disgraceful persecution of one who was, with the exception of Agassiz, the best known man of science in America. The professors of Harvard passed a resolution denouncing him and his “insane adherence to a gigantic humbug.” He had already resigned his chair, but suffered much in loss of reputation. The American Association for the Advancement of Science howled him down also, and placed themselves on record that the subject of Hare’s research was unworthy of their attention.

Sources: E. F. Smith, The Life of Robert Hare (1917), and Chemistry in America (1910); Henry Simpson, The Lives of Eminent Philadelphians (1859).

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 1, pp. 467-468

Hare, Robert (1781-1858). *Experimental Investigation of the Spirit Manifestations, etc. New York: Partridge & Brittan, 1855; 460 pp. & 2 portraits. See Vol. I, pp. 467-68, of the present Series for biogr.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 3, p. 510

Hare, Robert (1781-1858). See Vol. I, pp. 467-68, for biographical sketch.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 4, p. 651