ROBERT BOWNE WARDER. 243. 



professor of chemistry and physics. Professor Warder early 

 saw the close relation between these then distinct branches of 

 natural science, and his papers on *'The Speed of Saponifica- 

 tion of Ethyl Acetate " and " Evidence of Atomic Motion within 

 Liquid Molecules " were pioneer investigations in the field of 

 physical chemistry of to-day. 



He was engaged in this line of research from 1879 ^^ 1883 

 when he accepted the chair of chemistry at Purdue University, 

 where he remained until 1887. This position carried with it 

 the duties of State Chemist, work of a commercial character 

 rather foreign to his natural tastes, but to which he gave the 

 same painstaking devotion that characterized all his work. 

 Even these routine analyses were made to pay tribute to physical 

 chemistr}', as is shown by papers on " Influence of Time in 

 Fertilizer Analysis," " Speed of Dissociation of Brass," etc. 



In 1884 he married Gulielma M. Borland, who also belonged 

 to the Society of Friends, and like himself was interested in 

 evangelical work. Their life together was one of perfect 

 harmony. 



It was probably about this time that Professor Warder felt 

 more keenly than ever the call to help others in another field than 

 chemistry. His philanthropic and evangelical work had always 

 been foremost in his mind and labors, and in 1887 he accepted 

 the professorship of chemistry at Howard University in Wash- 

 ington. Here he labored until he died, teaching chemistry and 

 physics, but above all setting an example and teaching the 

 principles of a Christian life with an unselfish devotion. 



In spite of lack of facilities, his work at this period on " Dy- 

 namical Theory of Albumenoid Ammonia," " RecentTheories of 

 Geometric Isomerism," " Cross Fertilization of the Sciences," 

 and "The Major Premise in Physical Chemistry" showed his 

 natural inclination to this phase of chemistry. 



Professor Warder's later papers were chiefly devoted to ap- 

 plying the laws of mass action to and showing the speed of 

 chemical reactions for the analytical data obtained by other 

 investigators. 



He was essentially a critic and his devotion to truth caused 

 him to scrutinize the investigations of others with the same 



