MEMOIR OF SIMON NEWCOMB 
347 
amics. His large library contained all the standard works upon heat, and 
his influence was the prime factor in having caused the award of the Rum- 
ford medal to J. Willard Gibbs as early as 1880, long before the world at 
large appreciated the fundamental character of the work of the great New 
Haven physicist. Wolcott Gibbs served on the Rumford Committee of the 
American Academy for thirty years (1864-1894), and in many other ways did 
his best to aid the progress of science in America. He was for a time presi¬ 
dent of the National Academy of Sciences, until ill health enforced his resig¬ 
nation; and he served also as president of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science. 
Not only at home, but also abroad, his eminence was worthily recognized. 
His election to honorary membership in the German Chemical Society in 
1883 and to corresponding membership in the Royal Prussian Academy in 
1885 is perhaps the most striking evidence of the foreign appreciation of his 
work. No other American chemist has ever attained to either of these high 
honors. 
The brief autobiography published in the issue of Science for December 
18, 1908, gives the chief events in his quiet daily life. His manhood was 
spent partly in New York, partly in Cambridge, and finally, during recent 
years, among his. cherished flowers at his home on Gibbs Avenue near the 
First Beach at Newport, R. I. The circumstances of his early academic 
life brought him into close contact with but few students. This is the more 
to be regretted because his enthusiastic spirit, his tireless energy, his generous 
recognition of everything good and best of all his warm human friendship 
endeared him to all who knew him. Those who were thus fortunate, 
whether students or colleagues, will always devotedly treasure his memory; 
and his place as a pioneer of science in America will always be secure. 
MEMOIR OF SIMON NEWCOMB. 1 
By G. W. Hill. 
Professor NewcombOias narrated at considerable length the personal 
incidents of his scientific career in his book “The Reminiscences of an 
Astronomer,” and to that source the reader desirous of knowing them may be 
referred. Here it is intended to note only the scope and characteristics of 
his more important contributions to astronomy. While Professor New- 
1 Reprinted from Science, vol. XXIX, pp. 357-358. Sept. 17, 1909. The author is an Hon - 
orary Member of the Academy. 
Professor Newcomb died 12_July. 1909, having been an Honorary Member of the Academy 
since 1891. 
