GEORGE UINCKLEY LYMAN. 385 



1843-44. Optics. 



1845-46. Astronomy. 



1853-54. Electricity and Magnetism. 



1S59-60. Astronomy. 



1865-66. Light and Sound. 



1S79-80. Connection of the Physical Sciences. 



GEORGE HINCKLEY LYMAN. 



Dr. George Hinckley Lyman, Resident Fellow of the Academy, 

 was born in Northampton, Mass., July 17, 1819, the son of Jonathan 

 Huntington and Sophia (Hinckley) Lyman. He was educated at 

 the famous Round Hill School iu Northampton ; but on account of ill 

 health he was obliged to pass several years in Ohio and other Western 

 States before beginning his professional studies in the University of 

 Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he took his degree of M. D. 

 in 1843. Wishing to qualify himself thoroughly for the practice of 

 his profession, he devoted more than the usual time to advanced study 

 and clinical observation in the great hospitals of Europe, before return- 

 ing to establish himself in Boston. Here he at once attracted attention 

 through the publication of two Essays, — on " Non-Malignant Diseases 

 of the Uterus," and on the " History and Statistics of Ovariotomy," — 

 which had gained prizes offered by Medical Societies as being valuable 

 contributions to the knowledge of the profession, and marked by the 

 wise discrimination and candor shown in the discussion of their sub- 

 jects, to which was added the charm of clearness and elegance of style. 



The early promise thus given of Dr. Lyman's career was amply 

 fulfilled. His thorough training, quickness of observation, and good 

 judgment, with his faithful ministrations and ready sympathy, invited 

 and retained the confidence of his patients of high or low degree. 



But his success as a physician did not make him heedless of the 

 claims of his country. At the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, he 

 volunteered his services to Governor Andrew of Massachusetts, and, 

 in co-operation with Surgeon General Dale, become his efficient ad- 

 viser in the organization of a suitable surgical and ambulance service 

 for the departing troops. Nor did he linger in the rear. As these 

 went to the front, he went to share their dangers and alleviate their 

 sufferings. 



Standing first on the list of candidates examined by the Medical 

 Army Board of Washington, he outranked during the war all the ap- 

 pointees from civil life. He was soon assigned as Medical Director of 

 vol. xxvu. (n. s. xix.). 25 



