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Safford, James Merrill

educator, geologist, chemist, was born Aug. 13, 1822, in Putnam, now a part of Zanesville, Ohio. In 1844 he graduated at the Ohio university, and afterward attended Yale university, from which institution he subsequently received the degree of Ph. D. During 1848- 72 he was professor of natural science in Cumberland university; during 1873-96 was professor of chemistry in the medical department of the university of Nashville; in the medical department of the Vanderbilt university during 1873-94; and since 1875 he has also been professor of natural history and geology in the Vanderbilt university. In 1854-60 he was state geologist at Tennessee, and since 1871 has filled the same position. He is the author of a series of reports on the Geology of Tennessee, and various other works.