Christopher Webber Hall papers

Christopher Webber Hall was on born February 28, 1845 in Wardsboro, Vermont. He graduated from Middlebury College (Vermont) in 1871 and earned a masters in 1873. Hall served as the principal of Mankato high school in 1873, and then as superintendent of Owatonna schools 1873-1875. In 1875 he went to study geology at University of Leipzig (Germany) where he earned his Ph.D. in 1877.

Hall came to the University of Minnesota in April 1878 as an instructor and taught courses in the natural sciences - geology, biology, and mineralogy. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1879 and became a full Professor of geology, mineralogy, and biology in 1880. From 1892 to 1897 Hall was the Dean of the College of Engineering, Metallurgy and the Mechanical Arts. From 1900 to 1911 Hall was the chair of the Department of Geology and Mineralogy. Beginning in 1889 he was the Curator of the geological (general) museum at the University.

Hall did field work during the summer months for the Minnesota Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey as well as for his own private research. Professor Hall was active in scientific societies; he was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Geological Society of America; member of the National Geographic Society, Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education, Minnesota Academy of Natural Sciences, Delta Upsilon fraternity; and president of the Minnesota Academy of Natural Science and Minnesota Geological Society. He died in 1911 of pernicious anemia.