Page 14 Robert Foulis and Abraham Gesner were both extraordinary men whose interest
in natural science and invention led them down the same rocky path. The
invention of an illuminating fuel distillation process and the right to mine
albertite, a bitumen found at Albert Mines, New Brunswick, proved to be the
bane of both men.
)
Gesner has long been recognized as the inventor of the distillation process for the extraction of kerosene and for his use of albertite.
Between 1838 and 1842 Abraham Gesner was employed as provincial Geologist.
During this time he published a series of reports that documented the geology
of the province in great detail.
Gesner is also known as the founder of the first museum in Canada, which
opened in 1842, and for his activities in the development of kerosene.
He is hailed as the "inventor of the process of kerosene oil" on
his tombstone erected by Imperial Oil in 1933.
Gesner lectured at the local Mechanics' Institute and was member of that
society, conducted geological surveys for the government, and offered their
services to mining companies as consultants.
However, the story also includes a rather tragic tale of imprisonment for
debt and legal battles which cost him his right to mine albertite, his source
material for the production of kerosene.
In 1852 Gesner become embroiled in a famous battle against the Albert Mining
Company over the right to mine albertite, a case which focussed partly on the
nature of albertite. Gesner argued that albertite was not a coal and therefore
not included in coal mining leases. Geologists and tradesmen lined up on both
sides of the controversy. Some, like Dr. Benjamin Silliman of Yale, defended
the view that albertite was coal while others, including Joseph Leidy, argued
it was a bitumen. Gesner not only lost the court case, but the jury ruled in
favour of albertite as a coal.
8 More
All pages © Heritage Resources and New Brunswick Community
College - Saint John.