20 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 8o 



breakfast, after taking a brisk walk in the park. A little word or two 

 in a magnetic moment was all he needed to clear the situation. 



In recognition of his great attainments in the sciences of paleontol- 

 ogy and geology, Doctor Walcott was elected to the National Academy 

 of Sciences in the year 1896. He served continuously on committees 

 of the Academy, and much of the time in high office from 1899 to 

 1927. He was Treasurer 1899 to 1902, Vice-President 1907 to 1917, 

 and elected President in 191 7, serving in that highest office until 1923. 

 The full list of his services with the Academy is as follows : 



Treasurer 1899-1902 



Member of Council 1902-1905 



Vice-President 1907-1917 



President 1917-1923 



Committee on Publications 1903-1913 



Committee on Historical Documents (Chairman) 1915-1925 



Committee on Finance 1916-1925 



Committee on Daniel Giraud Elliot Fund 1917-1927 



Committee on Mary Qark Thompson Fund (Chairman) 1924- 1925 



Member of Building Committee and Committee on Exhibits. 

 Awarded the Mary Clark Thompson Medal in 192 1 for distinguished 

 contributions to the sciences of Geology and Paleontology. 



Thus, although he never received collegiate or technical scientific 

 education. Doctor Walcott attained through merit the highest of 

 scientific positions. 



As Secretary of the Smithsonian, his principal monument is the 

 Freer Gallery, and the outstanding enterprise while he was President 

 of the Academy was the achievement of the palatial Academy building. 

 In both, his share was highly important. The good judgment of the 

 man, expressing itself in the control of situations in business meetings 

 will be long remembered by his associates on the Council of the 

 Academy. The shaping up with Mr. Freer and Colonel Hecker of 

 the conditions of the great Freer gift and bequest was a far reaching 

 accomplishment, of which the beneficent unfolding is only just begun. 



The great War hurt him sorely, in that it took a much loved son. 

 Yet he did not repine, but carried on cheerfully, with the very many 

 and intricate enterprises which he was then engaged in for the 

 national safety and success. Religious faith comforted him, and 

 family affection supported him. He told me on two occasions that 

 he had no dread of death. That just as he stepped upon the train here 

 and soon arrived in the Canadian mountain field to take up his summer 

 work, just so simply he expected to pass by death to a life of new 

 satisfactions. 



