Martha Bergland & Paul G. Hayes

 "Studying Wisconsin: The Life of Increase Lapham"

Thursday, August 27, 5:00-6:15pm with authors Martha Bergland and Paul G. Hayes

"Studying Wisconsin: The Life of Increase Lapham"  

About the Book:  Authors Martha Bergland and Paul G. Hayes explore the remarkable life and achievements of Wisconsin's first scientist, Increase Lapham (1811-1875). Their book, "Studying Wisconsin: The Life of Increase Lapham," chronicles the life and times of Wisconsin's pioneer citizen-scientist. Lapham's ability to observe, understand, and meticulously catalog the natural world marked all of his work, from his days as a teenage surveyor on the Erie Canal to his last great contribution as state geologist. Self-taught, Lapham mastered botany, geology, archaeology, limnology, mineralogy, engineering, meteorology, and cartography. A prolific writer, his 1844 guide to the territory was the first book published in Wisconsin. Asked late in life which field of science was his specialty, he replied simply, "I am studying Wisconsin."  

About the Authors: After her retirement from teaching English at Milwaukee Area Technical College, Martha Bergland wrote an article on Lapham for Milwaukee Magazine, and continued to study Increase Lapham for the next five years. She has written two novels, "A Farm Under a Lake" and "Idle Curiosity," both published by Graywolf, and is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize. She lives in Glendale, Wisconsin.  

During 33 years at The Milwaukee Journal, science reporter Paul G. Hayes often relied on the work of Increase Lapham, whose home had been three blocks north of the newspaper office. After retiring in 1995, Hayes continued to write, often referring to Lapham and his contributions. This biography is a fitting finale to a fifty-year acquaintance. Paul and his wife live in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, where they raised two sons.