Chapter XI 



T 



.HE American Association for the Advancement o£ Science 

 was founded in the early 1850's, some years before I was born. 

 Its organization was based on that of the British Association 

 for the Advancement of Science, and it has had a long and 

 useful life. Its annual migratory meetings were interrupted by 

 the Civil War, but only for two or three years, and its presi- 

 dents (elected annually) have included many of the men who 

 have been most prominent in scientific work down to the 

 present day. 



It was soon found that a permanent secretary was necessary. 

 Professor Joseph Lovering of Cambridge was the first one. He 

 was succeeded, in the early 1870's, by Frederick W. Putnam of 

 Salem, who held office by reelection every five years until 1898. 

 At that time he was getting old, and there was a feeling that 

 the Association was getting into a rut and was not increasing 

 either in size or in usefulness, so it was thought best to look 

 for another man. At the meeting held in August, 1898, at 

 Detroit, Michigan, rather to my surprise, I was elected perma- 

 nent secretary. I was glad to have the office, since it brought me 

 into contact with scientific men all over the country, and also 

 added somewhat to my small income. I held the office with 



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