12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PITTSBURGH MEETING 



permission, but of his own accord, Professor Niles went to New Haven 

 and, as the result of a personal interview with General Walker, brought 

 back the reply that opened the way by which the institute secured General 

 Walker for its president. 



In 1902 Professor Files retired from active teaching at the institute, 

 and was made professor emeritus. 



Besides his position at the institute. Professor Niles held many others 

 of honor and importance. He was for five years the president of the 

 Boston Society of Natural History, three times president of the Appa- 

 lachian Mountain Club, president of the New England Meteorological 

 Society, and president of the Lawrence Scientific School Alumni Associa- 

 tion. He was professor of geology in Boston University from its first 

 graduating class till 1901. The following, taken from the records of the 

 trustees of Wellesley College at the time of his retirement from that insti- 

 tution, in June, 1908, speaks of his work there: 



"William Harmon Niles, B. S., Ph. B., M. A., LL. D., joined the faculty of 

 Wellesley College in 1882 as lecturer in geology. Classes at once responded to 

 his skilled touch. Interest so increased and work so strengthened that in 1888 

 the one course broadened into a department of which Doctor Niles was made 

 the head. In 1891 Doctor Niles accepted the chair of geology, which was then 

 established, and he has remained in full charge of the work, now expanded 

 Into four courses. . . . 



"The services of this esteemed officer have not been confined to class-room 

 duties merely. Professor Niles came to Wellesley in a day of beginnings. His 

 standing among scientists, the weight of his judgment, the intimacy of his 

 connection with a great technological school, all lent themselves effectively to 

 the work of framing suitable laws of growth for the young college. In all 

 its succeeding history the college has enjoyed from Professor Niles sympathy, 

 support, and counsel, which have been highly appreciated."* 



Professor Niles was sought by other institutions several times during 

 his connection with the institute, but always declined. He was espe- 

 cially requested by Prof. Arnold Guyot to take the place vacated by the 

 retirement of the latter from the chair of geography at Princeton. 



He maintained active relationships with scientific societies. He was a 

 Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow of the 

 Geological Society of America, Fellow of the American Association for 

 the Advancement of Science, member of the National Geographic Soci- 

 ety, member of the Boston Society of Natural History, member of the 

 Appalachian Mountain Club, member of the New England Meteorologi- 

 cal Society, corresponding member of the New York Academy of Sci- 

 ences, etcetera. 



* See College News, vol. 10, No. 6. 



