H. W. Harkness
Encyclopedia
Harvey Willson “H.W.” Harkness (1821–1901) was an American mycologist and natural historian best known for his early descriptions of California
fungal species. Born and raised in Massachusetts and trained as a physician, Harkness came to California during the Gold Rush
in 1849. He rose to prominence as physician, educator, real estate developer, and newspaper editor in Sacramento
, becoming part of the social circle of early California notables such as Leland Stanford
, Charles Crocker
, Collis Huntington, and Mark Hopkins
. Harkness was a participant in the ceremony marking the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad
, representing California and bearing the Golden Spike
that was driven by Leland Stanford marking the completion of the railroad.
Having earned a large fortune in Sacramento real estate, Harkness retired his medical practice in 1869 and relocated to San Francisco. There, he joined the faculty of the California Academy of Sciences
, becoming its president from 1887–1896. He devoted himself to research into the natural history of the Pacific States, publishing articles on the age of the Lassen Cinder Cone
and the nature of the fossil footprints discovered near Carson City, Nevada
.
The bulk of his research was devoted to cataloging the previously undescribed fungi of California. In the last 30 years of his life, Harkness authored or coauthored a number of papers on California fungi, ranging from simple species lists to a detailed monograph of California hypogeous fungi.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
fungal species. Born and raised in Massachusetts and trained as a physician, Harkness came to California during the Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
in 1849. He rose to prominence as physician, educator, real estate developer, and newspaper editor in Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
, becoming part of the social circle of early California notables such as Leland Stanford
Leland Stanford
Amasa Leland Stanford was an American tycoon, industrialist, robber baron, politician and founder of Stanford University.-Early years:...
, Charles Crocker
Charles Crocker
Charles Crocker was an American railroad executive.-Early years:Crocker was born in Troy, New York, to a modest family and moved to an Indiana farm at age 14. He soon became independent, working on several farms, a sawmill, and at an iron forge. In 1845 he founded a small, independent iron...
, Collis Huntington, and Mark Hopkins
Mark Hopkins
Mark Hopkins was one of four principal investors who formed the Central Pacific Railroad along with Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Collis Huntington in 1861.-Early years:...
. Harkness was a participant in the ceremony marking the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad
First Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad line built in the United States of America between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska The First...
, representing California and bearing the Golden Spike
Golden spike
The "Golden Spike" is the ceremonial final spike driven by Leland Stanford to join the rails of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads on May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory...
that was driven by Leland Stanford marking the completion of the railroad.
Having earned a large fortune in Sacramento real estate, Harkness retired his medical practice in 1869 and relocated to San Francisco. There, he joined the faculty of the California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is among the largest museums of natural history in the world. The academy began in 1853 as a learned society and still carries out a large amount of original research, with exhibits and education becoming significant endeavors of the museum during the twentieth...
, becoming its president from 1887–1896. He devoted himself to research into the natural history of the Pacific States, publishing articles on the age of the Lassen Cinder Cone
Cinder Cone and the Fantastic Lava Beds
Cinder Cone is a cinder cone volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park . Within the park it is located about northeast of Lassen Peak and provides an excellent view of Brokeoff Mountain, Lassen Peak, and Chaos Crags.The cone was built to a height of above the surrounding area and spread ash over...
and the nature of the fossil footprints discovered near Carson City, Nevada
Carson City, Nevada
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has...
.
The bulk of his research was devoted to cataloging the previously undescribed fungi of California. In the last 30 years of his life, Harkness authored or coauthored a number of papers on California fungi, ranging from simple species lists to a detailed monograph of California hypogeous fungi.
Legacy
- Harkness and his correspondents described scores of fungal species that were new to science. His 1899 monograph, California Hypogeous Fungi, alone described some 55 new species of hypogeous fungi.
- The phytopathogenic ascomycete genus Harknessia is named for him, as are the names of fungal species in 20 genera, as well as several species of vascular plants, including Leptosiphon harknessiiLeptosiphon harknessiiLeptosiphon harknessii is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Harkness' flaxflower...
. - Mount HarknessMount HarknessMount Harkness is a mountain, 1,900 m, standing 1.5 nautical miles south of Organ Pipe Peaks and forming part of the east wall of Scott Glacier, in the Queen Maud Mountains. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named at that time...
, a mountain near Lassen PeakLassen PeakLassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range. It is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc which is an arc that stretches from northern California to southwestern British Columbia...
, is named for him. - There is an H. W. Harkness Elementary School in Sacramento, California, commemorating his role as first Superintendent of Schools for Sacramento.
- Harkness Street in Sacramento, between 17th and 18th Streets, lies within the 90 acres of land on the southwest corner of what is now Broadway Ave. and Freeport Blvd. that Harkness owned.
External links
- "MycoDigest: Pioneers of California Mycology: HW Harkness" by Peter Werner, Mycena News 57(12):1,4,6, December 2006.
- "The Society's Founders" by Irma West, Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine 55(2), March/April 2004. (Scroll down to "Harvey W. Harkness, MD, 1821–1901".)