808 ABBOTT LAWRENCE ROTCH. 



Miss Margaret Randolph Anderson, of Savannah, Ga., and three 

 children survive him. 



Professor Rotch early developed that absorbing interest in meteorol- 

 ogy which caused him to devote his life to the advancement of that 

 science. Possessed of large means, he preferred to work persistently, 

 and not infrequently to undergo discomfort and hardship in his chosen 

 field of research, rather than to live a life of ease. Realizing the need 

 of an institution which could be devoted to the collection of meteoro- 

 logical observations, and to meteorological research, free from any 

 entanglements, he established, in 1885, Blue Hill Observatory. This 

 was first occupied by Mr. Rotch and his observer, Mr. W. P. Gerrish, 

 on February 1, 1885. This observatory he not only equipped and 

 maintained until his death, but he made provision in his will for hav- 

 ing the work there carried on without a break. Blue Hill Observatory 

 is to-day one of the few private meteorological observatories in the 

 world, and there is not one which is better equipped. In fact, it is 

 probably safe to say that there is no private scientific establishment 

 which is better known for the high standard of its work. The Blue 

 Hill Observatory was, with the exception of the municipal meteoro- 

 logical station in New York, the first in this country to be equipped 

 with self-recording instruments, and it is to-day one of the compara- 

 tively few in the world where nearly every meteorological element is 

 continuously recorded. Beginning with 1886, hourly values have been 

 printed. Professor Rotch took a splendid pri<le in his observatory, 

 and in its equipment, and his library, to which he devoted constant 

 care, was one of the most complete and valuable in the world. 



Professor Rotch early realized that the advance of meteorology 

 must come through a study of the free air, and with keen and prophetic 

 judgment he planned and carried out the remarkable series of investi- 

 gations which have made Blue Hill so famous. He secured assistants 

 who were well fitted to carry out the researches which he planned and 

 supervised. He thus showed his ability to judge the value of men, 

 as well as his capacity to organize the work for them to do. Mr. H. H. 

 Clayton became a member of the Observatory staff in 1886, and served 

 as observer and meteorologist, with some interruptions, for twenty- 

 three years. His work brought distinction to himself and to the ob- 

 servatory. Mr. S. P. Fergusson joined the staff in 1887, and remained 

 there until 1910. Many new instruments were devised by him, and 

 perfected with care and success. Mr. A. E. Sweetland died after eight 

 years of service and was succeeded, in 1903, by ]\Ir. L. A. Wells, who 

 is now observer-in-charge. Year after year the Blue Hill publications 



