AGASSIZ, (JEAN) LOUIS (RODOLPHE)

born May 28, 1807, Motier, Switz. died Dec. 14, 1873, Cambridge, Mass., U.S. Swiss-born U.S. naturalist, geologist, and teacher who made revolutionary contributions to the study of natural science with landmark work on glacier activity and extinct fishes. He achieved lasting fame through his innovative teaching methods, which altered the character of natural science education in the United States.