CHARLES F. HARTT (1840-1878); PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL CONFLICTS

Charles Frederick Hartt faced many personal vs professional decisions in his short geological career. Torn between his perceived professional career advancement and the well-being of his family, Hartt chose his career each time. Hartt's career focus began when he accommpanied his teacher, Louis Agassiz, on the Thayer Expedition to Brazil in 1865. In 1868 he became the first geologist at the new Cornell University, and married Miss Lucy Lynde of Buffalo, NY; a son was born and then a daughter. At Cornell, Hartt organized the Morgan expeditions to Brazil in 1870 and 1871, and letters written at this time illustrate the dilemma facing him and his difficult decisions. Letters to Lucy emphasized his love for her and their family and mentioned the dangers and hardships he was facing. Yet the public writings about the trips give a picture of great adventures, science in the making, etc. For a brief time his family joined him at Rio after he organized the Brazilian Geologic Commission in 1875. Lucy then became pregnant with twins and wanted to leave. Hartt would or could not leave his work, so Lucy took the children and did. Even though upon her return to Buffalo she lost the babies, Lucy never again contacted her husband directly, and his decision to put geology first had cost him dearly. This final blow came during the last years of his life, and no doubt contributed to his early death. Yet, had he not chosen to go to Brazil, would we be writing about him?