Rain Making by Convection

In 1843, James Pollard S.B. was appointed as the first meteorologist for the U.S. government. He published a theory that explained rainstorms in terms of the upward movement of air or convection. In 1836, he began giving public lectures on his weather theories which led to him being nicknamed the Storm King. It's not clear to what extent S.b. was ever able to do practical tests of his theory.