field book

Notebook kept by Rafinesque on a trip from Philadelphia to Kentucky

Despite his meticulous field work, professional success in France at such an early age, and further studies in Europe and the United States, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque (1783-1840) was largely regarded as eccentric. His often unconventional ideas were hard for his professional peers to embrace. However, contemporary scientists have come to recognize Rafinesque for his field work and avant-garde thinking.