Louis P. Gratacap^ 



William T. Davis 



(with plate 2) 



Louis Pope Gratacap died suddenly at his home, 163 Bement 

 Avenue, West New Brighton, Staten Island, on the morning of 

 December 19, 191 7, and was buried in the family vault near the 

 south side of old Trinity church on Broadway, New York City, 

 on December 22, 191 7. He was connected with the American 

 Museum of Natural History since 1876, and was curator of 

 mineralogy since 1881. Considering his position, his attain- 

 ments, and genial personality, it is no wonder that several bio- 

 graphical sketches are being prepared, which will no doubt in- 

 clude a bibliography of his writings. 



Every one intimately acquainted with Mr. Gratacap has a good 

 word to say for him, for the man of high purposes, for the stu- 

 dent and kindly friend. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., No- 

 vember I, 185 1, son of John L. and Lucinda (Benton) Gratacap. 

 He was graduated 'from the College of the City of New York in 

 1869 and from the Columbia College School of Mines in 1876. 

 The family moved to Staten Island many years ago, and it was 

 from his home on Bement Ave. that he attended college, a tedious 

 journey in the days of slow ferryboats and the horsecar lines. 



The versatility of the man, as his bibliography, when published, 

 will show, was quite remarkable. He, with one assistant, Mr. 

 Joseph Quinn, not only kept the great collections of minerals and 

 shells of the American Museum of Natural History in perfect 

 order, but somehow managed to give them an artistic setting that 

 was most admirable and pleasing. He also found time to write 

 on many subjects quite varied in character. Among several hun- 



^ Presented at the meeting of the Association January 19, 1918. 



19 



