150 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



Institution, 1846-1896, the History of Its First Half Century," Washington, 

 1896, p. 115. See also the sketch by WM. B. TAYLOR, entitled " A Memoir of 

 Joseph Henry," in Bulletin of the Philosophical Society of Washington, vol. 2, pp. 

 230, and 368, 1879; and that by JAMES C. WELLING, entitled, " Notes on the life 

 and character of Joseph Henry," in the same publication, pp. 203-229.) 



JULIUS ERASMUS HILGARD 

 Born, January 7, 1825; died, May 9, 1890 



Julius Erasmus Hilgard was born at Zweibriicken, Rhenish 

 Bavaria, January 7, 1825. His father, Theodore Erasmus Hil- 

 gard, was for many years Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, 

 but on account of his liberal opinions was so dissatisfied with con- 

 ditions in his native country that in 1835 he emigrated to America. 

 The journey from his native place to Havre was made in wagons. 

 After a voyage of 62 days, the family landed at New Orleans at 

 Christmas, and journeyed up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and 

 thence to a farm at Belleville, Illinois. As the oldest son, Julius 

 gave valuable help by his practical talents. His education was 

 carried on at home. Music, chemistry, ancient and modern lan- 

 guages and mathematics (the higher branches of the latter being 

 studied without outside help), occupied his attention until 1843, 

 when he went to Philadelphia to study engineering and to obtain 

 employment. In that city he made the acquaintance of Professor 

 Bache, and commenced a life-long friendship with Elisha Kent 

 Kane, the arctic explorer. 



The first work obtained was in the preliminary surveys of the 

 Bear Mountain Railroad. Soon, however, Professor Bache, 

 recognizing his abilities, procured young Hilgard a position in 

 the Coast Survey, in which service he continued, with short inter- 

 ruptions, until his death. In the field work, in computations and 

 investigations in the office, in the publication of the records and 

 results of the Survey, in his influence on political leaders, Mr. 

 Hilgard rendered highly intelligent and valuable aid to the ser- 

 vice. During the failing health of Professor Bache, Hilgard, who 

 was at that time in charge of the Coast Survey office, was obliged 

 to perform the duties of Superintendent, which he did without 



