EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1913. 115 



Both were to engage in field work, contributing their collections to 

 the Museum, the former intending to visit Alaska and if possible the 

 neighboring coast of Siberia, the latter the Phihppine Islands. 



The Museum lost three members of its staff by death, Dr. Lester F. 

 Ward, honorary associate in paleobotany^, Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, 

 honorary associate in mineralogy, and Mr. Joseph Palmer, modeler. 



Dr. Lester Frank Ward was born in Johet, 111., June 18, 1841, and 

 died in Washington, D. C, April 18, 1913. His coUegiate education 

 was received at Columbian, now George Washington, University. In 

 1881 he became an assistant geologist, and in 1888 a geologist, on the 

 United States Geological Survey. In 1905 he left Washington to join 

 the faculty of Brown University, Providence, R. I., of which he con- 

 tmued a member until the time of his decease. His connection with 

 the Museum dated from 1882, in which year he was appointed honor- 

 ary curator in charge of the collection of fossil plants, his designation 

 being changed in 1893 to associate curator. His removal from Wash- 

 ington and the discontinuance of active relations with the Museum led 

 in 1905 to his receiving the honorary title of associate, in recognition 

 of his long and important services in building up his department. 



Taking up the study of fossil plants at a time when paleobotany as 

 a distinct science was hardly recognized, and when almost the only 

 workers of national reputation in the subject were Newberry and 

 Lesquereux, he rapidly attained distinction as a careful investigator, 

 deep thinker, and patient, conscientious worker, and after the death 

 of these pioneers he became the acknowledged leader in paleobotany 

 m America. Besides his official reports to the Geological Survey and 

 several papers issued by the Museum, Dr. Ward was the author of 

 many notable contributions in that branch of scientific research, in 

 which the philosophical trend of his mentality is full}^ indicated, as 

 well as in his better-known works on ethics and sociology. The item 

 of work, however, which will cause him to be best remembered by 

 those who were privileged to be associated with him at the Museum 

 is the index and bibUography of fossil plants, which he conceived and 

 to which he contributed so much time and conscientious labor. This 

 and the hbrary which he accumulated in connection vnih it form 

 together the one great repository of paleobotanical information in 

 America. 



Dr. Leander Trowbridge Chamberlain, born at West Brookfield, 

 Mass., September 26, 1837, and deceased May 9, 1913, received his 

 collegiate education at Yale University, from which he was graduated 

 in 1863. After four years in the naval service of the United States, 

 Mr. Chamberlain entered the theological seminary at Andover, and, 

 finishing the course in 1869, he was ordained in the Congregational 

 ministry the same year. Besides serving continuously as a pastor 

 until 1890, Dr. Chamberlain was actively connected with church. 



