INTRODUCTORY. 



Simon Newcomb was one of the most notable scientists that America has ever produced 

 and no other among her men of research has ever achieved such general recognition of eminence. 

 In 1916 the writer published a paper 1 which was designed to contain a complete record of 

 Newcomb's diplomas, medals, decorations, certificates of membership, and other honors. In 

 the following pages an attempt is made to bring together references to sources of information 

 concerning his life and work. 



The references to sources in the case of his life are grouped under the headings : " Majora " (the 

 more important material) , "Minora " (material which though of lesser importance seemed worthy 

 of listing) , "Portraits-Published Photographs " (reproductions of 16 photographs taken at various 

 times during 50 years), and "Portraits-Paintings" (to be found in public and private places). 



As to sources regarding Simon Newcomb's work, it has been the intention to indicate all 

 of his books, pamphlets, memoirs, reports, magazine articles, letters to newspapers or periodi- 

 cals, reported addresses, etc. — in short, everything in print which he has written or spoken. 2 

 It has further been the endeavor to make mention of everything published in every edition 

 and every language. For example, in the case of his Popular Astronomy, first published in 

 New York in 1878, there are listed 15 American editions or reprints, 3 English, 7 German, 1 

 Norwegian, and 1 Russian. Many of the items may appear trivial from some points of view. 

 But in the case of a man so highly honored everything he wrought has interest in indicating 

 his sympathies, his habits of mind and methods of work, and the development of his career. 



In order more clearly to indicate different lines of Simon Newcomb's activity, the titles 

 have been rather roughly grouped under the four headings "Astronomy," "Mathematics," 

 "Economics," and "Miscellaneous," but many titles under "Astronomy" might be classed 

 also under "Mathematics" and "Miscellaneous," while some titles under "Mathematics" or 

 "Miscellaneous" might come under "Astronomy" also. There are 541 titles in all. 3 



The most extensive previously published bibliography of Simon Newcomb's work was the 

 one by the writer which appeared in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada for 1905. 

 Some 370 titles were there listed. In the present work this list has been radically revised and 

 amplified, and more than 160 new titles have been added. While it is known that even the 

 resulting list is not complete, especially in connection with anonymous editorials, reviews, 

 and notes in The Evening Post, The Nation, and Science, nevertheless it is believed that the 

 approximation to completeness is a good one. Checks have been made with all the English, 

 French, and German bibliographic works, and with the Library of Congress catalog, but there 

 were scores of titles not to be found in any of these sources. 



The authorship of a very large number of anonymous notes, reviews, and editorials was 

 determined by consulting the editorial file of The Nation and the index volumes of the Atlantic 

 Monthly and of the North American Review. 



At one time it was intended to list all the more important reviews of Simon Newcomb's 

 publications, but this plan was abandoned in favor of listing only those which had been noticed 

 in connection with the main inquiry. 



Occasional notes, explanatory of the titles, or containing additional information which 

 would appear to be of interest for one reason or another, have been added to the titles. 



As mathematical editor of Science, 1895-1903, and as associate editor or editor in chief of 

 the American Journal of Mathematics between 1878 and 1909, much of Simon Newcomb's 

 scientific work was unsigned and will never be known. 



In the preparation of the material for the following pages it is the writer's duty and privi- 

 lege to acknowledge the enthusiastic and able cooperation of Simon Newcomb's daughter, 

 Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee. 



Brown University, April, 1923. R. C. A. 



i Science, n. s., vol. 44 (Dec. 22, 1916): 871-878. 



3 No attempt has been made to list all articles quoted in such a periodical as The Literary Digest. 



8 Observation records as In Astronomische Nachrichten, vols. 69, 70, 71, 86, and 90, have not been listed. 



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