LeConte College

1952; Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics

This science building is named for the LeConte brothers, John and Joseph, nineteenth-century faculty members who were among the most renowned scientists of their day. A building on the campus of the University of California, where they later taught is also named for the two.

The brothers were native Georgians and were graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons.

John LeConte (1818-1891) taught science and physics at Franklin College, moved to the chair of physics at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and in 1856 accepted the chair of physics at South Carolina College.

Although his property was destroyed during the Civil War, he continued his scientific work. Many of his important achievements date from at this time. He soon left South Carolina College to serve as president of the new University of California. In his lifetime John LeConte contributed about 100 papers to scientific writing.

Joseph LeConte (1823-1901), a geologist, studied under the famous naturalist Louis Agassiz in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After teaching at Oglethorpe University and the University of Georgia he was elected to the chair of chemistry at South Carolina College,where his brother John was already teaching. Unfortunately, like his brother, Joseph LeConte left the college shortly after the Civil War, when prospects in South Carolina were not promising, and joined the faculty of the University of California. Joseph taught there until his death during a trip with the Sierra Club in the Yosemite region.

The Wyman L. Williams Room, a faculty lounge in LeConte, honors the former faculty member and head of the Department of Mathematics.