JOHN FRANCIS LANNEAU 

 1836-1921 



A long and variously distinguished career came to a close when 

 John Francis Lanneau died in Wake Forest, March 5, 1921. He was 

 born of Huguenot parentage in Charleston, South Carohna, February 

 7, 1836. His father was Charles Henry Lanneau, his mother, Sophia 

 Lanneau. He was graduated from the South Carolina Mihtary 

 Academy in 1856. His teaching career began at once in 1857 as tutor 

 in mathematics, and from 1858 to 1861 as professor of physics and 

 chemistry, in Furman University, Greenville, S. C. Then came the 

 Civil War in which he served four years first as Captain of cavalry in 

 Hampton's brigade, later as Lieutenant and Captain of engineers. 

 At the conclusion of the war he resumed his connection with the Fur- 

 man faculty, being professor of mathematics and astronomy from 1866 

 through 1868. For the next four years he was professor of mathe- 

 matics in Wilham Jewell College of Missouri. In 1873 he accepted 

 the presidency of the Alabama Central Female College, Tuscaloosa, 

 holding that position for six years. From 1879 to 1888 he was pres- 

 ident of the Baptist Female College, Lexington, Missouri. The next 

 two years he was president of the Pierce City Baptist College of the 

 same state. In 1890 he accepted the professorship of physics and ap- 

 plied mathematics in Wake Forest College. From 1899 to his death 

 he was professor of applied mathematics and astronomy. 



The honorary degree of M. A. was conferred upon him in 1869 by 

 Baylor University, LL. D. in 1915 by Furman University. 



Of striking physique and courtly bearing Dr. Lanneau won at- 

 tention and respect wherever he appeared. He was of the finest type 

 of the Christian gentleman and up to the day of his death was chair- 

 man of the board of deacons and treasurer of the Wake Forest Bap- 

 tist Church. 



Apart from the immediate tasks of the class room. Dr. Lanneau 

 showed his deep scientific interest in several ways. He was probably 

 the first man in North Carolina to give demonstrations and public 

 lectures on the X-rays. In 1907 he invented the Cosmoid manu- 

 factured by Wm. Gaertner & Co., of Chicago, and described by him 

 in "Popular Astronomy," December 1913. It is an ingenious ap- 

 paratus for illustrating many astronomical conceptions and motions. 



[17] 



