From Finland to Niagara Falls:: Pehr Kalm in North America 1748-1751 [Paperback]

The fascinating untold story of Finnish scientist and explorer Pehr Kalm, who in 1750, became the first scientist to visit and study Niagara Falls. Sent by the famous Swedish natural historian Carl Linnaeus to research the New World, Kalm’s task was to collect samples and write descriptions for Linnaeus. His exciting expedition lasted three and a half years, and its impact on the natural sciences was groundbreaking. Kalm described all that he saw: the landscape and geography, colonists’ settlements and customs, Indians and slaves, and of course, many plants and animals. His scientific report on Niagara Falls was the first, and it was published by Benjamin Franklin. Two states have named their state flowers after him, and the Virginia creeper, which he brought back from his travels, now grows all over Finland.The book’s brilliant illustrations offer an accurate and engaging picture of Kalm’s journey, and the text is enriched by passages from Kalm’s own travel journal. From Finland to Niagara Falls is an illustrated history book for the young and the curious of all ages.Christina Saarinen grew up in Buffalo, New York, not far from Niagara Falls. She has also lived in Turku, Finland, in an apartment overlooking an oak tree said to have grown from an American acorn planted by Pehr Kalm. A graduate of Byrn Mawr College and the University of Helsinki, Christina lives in Buffalo with her husband and son.