Oakes, William
William Oakes (July 1, 1799 - July 31, 1848) was one of the most famed American botanists of the 19th century and an expert on the flora of New England. Oakes attended Harvard University and became interested in natural history under his professor William Dandridge Peck (1763 - 1822). However, after graduation, he initially pursued a career in law without giving up his interest in nature. Upon the completion of a hiking path to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire by Ethan Crawford, Oakes became one of the first white men to ascend the mountain. Oakes befriended Crawford and made future ventures to the White Mountains, giving up his law career to pursue his naturalist interests full-time, focusing on botany in particular. He wrote a very detailed description of the flora of the White Mountains that exceeded all previous cataloged knowledge. He also made important contributions to the study of the trees and plants of Massachusetts. Oakes died suddenly when, 'in a temporary fit of insanity,' he threw himself into Boston Harbor while taking a ferry between Boston and East Boston.
Essential Work for White Mountains Collectors.
This is William Oakes and Isaac Sprague's 1848 collection of views of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, titled Scenery of the White Mountains. Aside from its striking imagery, the work was among the earliest published books to deal specifically with the White Mountains, making it highly desirable for White Mountains collectors. (more details)