 While working on farms , Edward continued his education on his own . In 1858 , he began working part @-@ time at the Academy of Natural Sciences , reclassifying and cataloguing specimens , and published his first series of research results in January 1859 . Cope began taking French and German classes with a former Westtown teacher . Though Alfred resisted his son 's pursuit of a science career , he paid for his son 's private studies . Instead of working the farm his father bought for him , Edward rented out the land and used the income to further his scientific endeavors . 
