48 WILLIAM GEORGE STEVENSON, M. D. 
direct result of his vigorous and intelligent efforts. He 
was well known in scientific circles, throughout this 
country, and in Kurope, being a manager of the Ameri- 
can Society of Natural Science, and a member of the 
Medico-Legal Society of New York. 
As a member of the late Poughkeepsie Society of 
Natural Science, and of the Poughkeepsie Literary Club, 
he was chiefly instrumental in bringing to the attention 
of the Vassar Brothers, the project of uniting those two 
societies. The result was—‘‘ Vassar Brothers Institute ”’ 
with its liberal endowment. He held the office of Presi- 
dent of the Institute from 1885 to 1887, and was Curator 
of the Museum at the time of his death. The Museum 
and Library are chiefly the result of his individual work. 
Dr. Stevenson’s well stored mind, quick grasp of facts, 
and overflowing humor, free from any taint of acrimony, 
made him a brilliant conversationalist, and a delightful 
companion. He was also a man of firm convictions. and 
great capacity for hard work, which he did not relinquish 
until long after fatal disease had seized him, nor until 
death was near. He never touched a subject without 
leaving his impress upon it, and the impress was always 
for good. 
At a special meeting of the Institute held Tuesday 
evening, October 14th, 1890, the following resolution was 
unanimously adopted : 
Resolved, That we, the members of Vassar Brothers Institute hereby re- 
cord upon the minutes of the Society, our sense of the grievous loss which 
the Institute has sustained by reason of the death of its former president, 
and late curator of the Museum, Dr. William G. Stevenson. 
Whether in public or private life, his character and his devotion to duty, 
alike commend themselves to us, for the first was pure, the latter unselfish. 
His contributions to the cause of science, his zealous service in behalf of 
public education, and his tireless and skillful efforts for the relief of human 
suffering, are a rich legacy to this community. 
His death is to this Institute a loss for which we may look in vain for 
compensation. Its interests and welfare were ever in his mind, and almost 
his last utterances were in its behalf. ; 
