2 EDWARD EMERSON BARNARD— FROST WmMmM ^SSS: 



already eminent at the age of 42, whose researches were in the domain of theory rather than of 

 observation, advised young Barnard that to accomplish anything important in astronomical 

 research he must first be well grounded in mathematics. This advice might have discouraged 

 a less ardent seeker for knowledge of the stars, but it inspired Barnard to do just what was 

 advised. He applied himself diligently to elementary mathematics and other common items of 

 education which he had been obliged to neglect in his youth, and from his own slender earnings 

 hired a tutor for some branches of his study. 



In January, 1881, while still an employee at the studio, he married Miss Rhoda Calvert. 

 She had come from Yorkshire, England, to Tennessee a few years earlier with her brothers, who 

 were artists and who also had work in connection with the studio. His marriage greatly 

 influenced his subsequent career, as his wife most unselfishly encouraged and helped him in his 

 efforts to obtain a better education and to overcome some cultural deficiencies of which he 

 was conscious. She proved a true helpmeet in every way, caring for the household in a most 

 prudent manner and taking over all responsibility for his now invalid mother. This made it 

 possible for him to improve every opportunity that presented itself for his advancement. 



On May 12, 1881, Barnard discovered his first comet in the morning sky near Alpha Pegasi. 

 He found it again on the next night, but could not afterwards locate it, and inasmuch as he did 

 not send out any announcement to the astronomical world, and it was not seen by any other 

 astronomer, this comet was never assigned a place in the formal records of astronomy — no 

 number was given it, and it was not counted by Mr. Barnard himself. Of course, from what 

 was later known of his reliability and skill as an observer, there could be no question as to the 

 certainty of his observation, but at that time he was unknown among astronomers. 



This accidental discovery, however, developed his interest in the search for comets, and he 

 began systematically to sweep the sky for them. His diligence was rewarded on the night of 

 September 17 of the same year, when he found a comet in the constellation Virgo. He announced 

 the discovery to Dr. Lewis Swift, so that it was observed by other astronomers and received the 

 name " Comet 1881 VI." Mr. H. H. Warner, who had established at Rochester, N. Y., the 

 private astronomical observatory of which Doctor Swift was the director, had taken much 

 interest in astronomy and offered a prize of $200 for each unexpected comet discovered by an 

 American observer. The award was made to Mr. Barnard for the discovery of this comet, 

 and it happened opportunely, for at that time the young man was building a little house for his 

 bride and his mother, and the burden of paying notes on borrowed money as they came due 

 was a serious one. Five times in all Barnard received this award for the discovery of a comet, 

 and it meant to his family the possibility of owning their modest home. That dwelling is still 

 known in Nashville as the " Comet House." Few, indeed, are the astronomers whose keen 

 eyesight and extraordinary diligence in the quest for celestial discovery have literally provided 

 them with a roof to sleep under. It was very little, however, that he slept under that roof 

 when the sky was clear. 



I am describing these circumstances in this detail because they may seem almost incredible 

 to some of our contemporary European astronomers who have reached positions in our science 

 in university or governmental observatories after passing through a very definite and uniform 

 course of study and training. That inborn genius can find a way of achieving its ideal in 

 America, we may call to witness our lately departed friends, Burnham and Brashear, as well as 

 Barnard. 



A year later, on September 13, 1882, the second recorded comet (1882 III) was discovered 

 with the 5-inch telescope. A rather dramatic incident occurred a month later, October 14, of 

 which we have a printed record in Barnard's own words. He had been searching for comets 

 through the early part of the night and had set his alarm clock for a later horn - in order to get 

 some much-needed rest. He says that when the alarm clock sounded he had been dreaming 

 of discovering a wonderful field of comets, big and little, with long and short tails, in his field 

 of view. After he awoke he began sweeping in the neighborhood of the great comet of 1882, 

 and to his astonishment saw 12 or 15 small comets of varied appearance in the vicinity. He 

 had obtained positions for 7 or 8 of these when the dawn came. He announced his dis- 



