SKETCH OF PROFESSOR HENRY DRAPER. 409 



1880 ; and " Photograph of the Spectra of the Comet of June, 1881," 

 last year. 



Probably Henry Draper's most important work was his discovery of 

 oxygen in the sun, which was duly chronicled and made a matter of dis- 

 cussion in " The Popular Science Monthly " at the time. It was the 

 result of great sagacity, experimental skill, and an immense amount of 

 labor. It was too unexpected and surprising to command the ready 

 assent of eminent physicists and astronomers, while its experimental 

 proofs were on such an expensive scale that the processes could not be 

 easily repeated. But the opinion has undoubtedly gained strength 

 that the discovery is valid, and by reference to a recent work by Pro- 

 fessor Young on " The Sun " and the " Popular Astronomy" of Professor 

 Newcomb, it will be seen that the weight of authoritative opinion is 

 in favor of its reality. 



Henry Draper was a man of medium height, rather stoutly built, 

 with the appearance of vigorous health. His manners were agreeable, 

 he was a lively and a witty talker, and a very fluent and instructive 

 lecturer. He was enthusiastic in his passion for science, and persistent 

 and tenacious in carrying out his elaborate plans of research. 



In 1867 he married the daughter of Courtlandt Palmer, Esq., a 

 cultivated lady who entered with a kindred enthusiasm into all his 

 studies, and rendered the most faithful and efficient service in his deli- 

 cate and arduous investigations. So thorough was her understand- 

 ing of the problems he was engaged upon, and so considerable her 

 share in the manipulatory practice, that it is hoped she may be able to 

 complete and publish his more important unfinished work. At the 

 death of his father-in-law, Professor Draper became a trustee of the 

 large estate, and was henceforth much absorbed in business. But, 

 though in command of very liberal means, his passion for science was 

 too strong to be diverted by new solicitations, and he set a noble ex- 

 ample by making use of his ample resources to carry on the work of 

 scientific research on a scale that is but rarely attempted because of its 

 great expense. 



