Louis Pammel (1862-1931)

Artist / Maker Christian Petersen (Danish - American, 1885 - 1961)

Date1933

OriginUSA

MediumBronze

Dimensions14 1/2 x 10 x 14 in. (36.8 x 25.4 x 35.6 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineCommissioned by Iowa State College, Botany Deptartment. In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU99.295

Status

Not on view

Collections

Label TextThis sculpture was the first work commissioned by Iowa State from Petersen. According to college records, he was paid $250 for this bronze. Louis H. Pammel (L.H.) was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1862. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, being the first student to receive a Bachelor of Agriculture degree (1885) from that institution. Pammel also received his M. S. (1889) in agriculture from the University of Wisconsin and his Ph. D. (1898) from Washington University. In February 1889, Pammel came to Iowa State College (University) as Professor of Botany (1889-1929). In addition to teaching botany, he taught courses in Landscape Architecture (1889-1890). Pammel was also the Iowa State College Experiment Station Botanist (1889-1922). During Pammel’s tenure, Iowa State became the first school in the United States to offer bacteriology courses to general students. Pammel was also well liked and respected by his students, many of which considered him a great influence in their lives. Among these students was George Washington Carver. Pammel conducted research in plant pathology and in weeds, which resulted in numerous publications, including A Manual of Poisonous Plants (1910), Weeds of the Farm and Garden (1911), and The Weed Flora of Iowa (1913, 1926). Other research activities included the anatomy of seeds and plants of the legume family. In systematic botany, he was interested in the trees and other flora of the country, and he made extensive collections of plants, which he gave to the college.

MarkingsSigned Christian Petersen on lower back of bust.

Published ReferencesAmes Daily Tribune, Feb. 2, 1933; Milepost (Ames, IA), July 20, 1933.

Object Titles[com.gallerysystems.emuseum.core.entities.ObjectTitle@a059]

Locations