Trans. N. Y. Ac. Sez. “= POG Feb. 6, 
reported the following minute, which was read by Prof. D. S. 
MarTIN: 
WHEREAS, The recent death of Prof. John W. Draper has re- 
moved from among us one of the oldest and most distinguished mem- 
bers of the Academy, and one of the most eminent original investi- 
gators in the realm of physical science, therefore, 
Resolved, That the Academy would hereby express its profound 
appreciation of the high attainments and honorable services of our 
late associate, and its sense of sorrow and loss in his departure from 
our sphere; and that we cannot suffer this event to pass without a 
brief tribute to his revered and cherished memory. 
Prof. John William Draper was born in 1811, at St. Helens, near 
Liverpool, England. Having received a thorough preliminary edu- 
cation, he was sent to the newly-opened London University, in 1829, 
that he might study chemistry under Dr. Turner. Urged by relations, 
he came to America in 1833, and soon afterwards began the study of 
medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1836. 
Immediately after his graduation, Dr. Draper went to Hampden 
Sidney College, as Professor ot Chemistry and Physiology, to which 
chair he had been elected before receiving his degree. There he began 
that remarkable series of investigations which ended only with his life, 
and which has had so important a bearing on the progress of discovery 
in several branches of physics. The results of his earlier researches 
were published in the Amerzcan Journal of Sczence and in the London 
Philosophical Journal ; and, together with later discussions, were col- 
lected into one quarto volume, which was published in 1844, under the 
general title of Zhe Chemistry of Plants. 
The interest awakened by these earlier investigations secured for 
Dr. Draper the appointment of Professor of Chemistry and Physiology 
in the University of the City of New York. He was originally as- 
signed toa chair in the Medical Department, but owing to the financial 
disaster of 1837, the Medical School was not organized at once, and 
Dr. Draper began his work in the Collegiate Department of the 
University, in 1839. He remained in the discharge of his duties until 
within a few months of his death. 
To Dr. Draper is due, in a great measure, the prominence of New 
York City as a centre of medical education. Previous to 1840, the 
number of students attending the Medical School seldom exceeded 
fifty, and oftener fell below. But in that year the Medical Depart- 
ment of the University was organized, and under the management of 
Dr. Draper, as Secretary of the Faculty, classes of almost 150 students 
