Scientist Profile

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Stephen Babcock

Agricultural Scientist and Engineer
10/22/1843 – 7/1/1931
Stephen Babcock demonstrating the Babcock test
Key Achievement
His simple and reliable test for butterfat in milk, introduced in 1890, allowed farmers to test milk on the farm. That improved the operation of the milk market and allowed farmers to evaluate and improve their herds. The Babcock Test won numerous awards around the world, including grand prizes at the 1900 Paris Exposition and the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Babcock also worked on improving cheese making, helped to develop machines for separating cream from milk, and studied the nutritional requirements of cattle.
Connection to Wisconsin
Babcock was educated in New York and Germany, and worked for several years as an agricultural chemist for the New York Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1887 he became an agricultural chemistry professor at University of Wisconsin – Madison. He was also the chief chemist of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station during that time, and its assistant director from 1901 to 1913.


For additional information, visit:


Babcock, Stephen Moulton – Wisconsin Historical Society Essay

Stephen Moulton Babcock, man of science: a memorial to him in observance of the centenary of his birth (ebook)