James Adair Lyon, A.M., Ph.D., Ll.B. 43 



Childress, of Nashville, Mrs. E. M. Smith, of Holly Springs, Miss., 

 and Mrs. Bromfield L. Ridley, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. 



Dr. Lyon was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church at Clarks- 

 ville and a useful and devoted member of the congregation. I 

 quote from a tribute published at the time of his death in the Clarks- 

 ville Leaf Chronicle: 



"Simple in his faith, sincere in his piety, unfaltering in his devo- 

 tion to duty, unaffected in his manners, his was a most unusual ser- 

 vice. As Superintendent of the Sunday School, as Superintendent 

 of the South Clarksville Mission, as Superintendent of the Negro 

 Mission, always and everywhere, he was regular, conscientious, 

 faithful and efficient. Generous in his giving, upright in his dealings, 

 duty was his watchword, and love was his motive. No night was too 

 dark, no cold or heat or rain too severe, to deter him from being at 

 his post. Wise as a councilor, loyal to his friends, just and fair to 

 all alike, he earnestly and humbly endeavored to live the gospel 

 which he professed." 



Dr. Lyon devoted his life to teaching. He was first an instructor 

 in York Collegiate Institute, York, Pa., in 1874. In 1876 he 

 became Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in Highland 

 University, Kansas. In 1878, he became Professor of Chemistry and 

 Physics in Washington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. In 

 1885 he was elected Stewart Professor of Natural Science in South- 

 western Presbyterian University, and in 1900 was transferred to the 

 chair of Physics and Astronomy in that institution, which position 

 he held at the time of his death. 



Dr. Lyon was associated with me for many years at Montsagle 

 Assembly as a teacher and a lecturer. He was a painstaking student 

 of the sciences, was an authority in his department, and was a suc- 

 cessful teacher. As members of the Tennessee Academy of Science, 

 we are glad to pay this loving tribute to his memory, and to express 

 our regrets that we are no longer to have the results of his re- 

 searches, the enjoyment of his friendship, and the help of his coun- 

 sel and advice. 



