728 JOHN DANIEL RUNKLE. 



Safford, and J. M. Vau Vleck. Mr. Runkle's connection with the 

 Almanac began in 1849, and continued in some form as late as 1884. 



In 1852 he contributed to the "Astronomical Journal " papers on the 

 " Elements of Thetis " and on the " Elements of Psyche." 



In 1855 his " New tables for determining the values of the coefficients, 

 in the perturbative function of planetary motion, which depend upon the 

 ratio of the mean distances," were published as one of the Smithsonian 

 Contributions to Knowledge. 



In 1858 Mr. Runkle founded the " Mathematical Monthly." Encour- 

 agement was received and formal indorsement given by the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science and by several educational 

 bodies. The list of contributors included many distinguished names, 

 among others Arthur Cayley, William Chauvenet, George W. Hill, 

 Simon Newcomb, Benjamin Pierce, John Herschel. The time for the 

 publication of a long-lived mathematical journal was not, however, ripe, 

 and only three volumes appeared. 



From 1860 until his death Professor Runkle's time and strength were 

 almost continuously and exclusively devoted to the establishment and up- 

 building of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was first 

 Secretary of tlie Institute, and at the opening of the school became pro- 

 fessor of mathematics. In October, 1868, he became Acting President 

 in consequence of President Rogers' serious illness, and in 1870 he was 

 made President, holding the office for the following eight years. 



The situation was a most exacting one, making altogether exceptional 

 demands. The school, only five years old, was in no condition to lose 

 the guidance of its founder. It had not yet gathered the momentum 

 necessary for steady, straightforward progress. Opinions did and will 

 differ as to President Runkle's judgment on the difficult (juestions that, 

 as time passed, pressed overwhelmingly upon him for solution. No man 

 could have been more devotedly loyal to the school or to its founder, his 

 predecessor and ultimately his successor. None could have shown more 

 steadfast courage, not only against heavy odds, but too often with but 

 feeble support. 



The more notable events of the Runkle presidency were : the fruitless 

 neofotiations with Harvard University for a union ; the establishment of 

 the laboratories of mining engineering and metallurgy; the introduction 

 of shop instruction and the foundation of the School of Mechanic Arts ; 

 the development of professional summer schools in the field ; the begin- 

 nings of an engineering laboratory; the increased efficiency of military 

 instruction and the summer encampment at Philadelphia in 1876; the 



