Benjamin Silliman was an American chemist and geologist, born on August 8, 1816, in New Haven, Connecticut. He is best known for his work in the field of chemistry and for being one of the first to teach chemistry in the United States. Silliman played a significant role in the development of scientific education and was a founding member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Silliman also contributed to the study of geology, particularly in the area of petroleum geology. He was instrumental in the early exploration of oil in the United States and published influential reports on the subject. His work laid the groundwork for future advancements in both chemistry and geology.