At the Regular Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Trustees 

 of The American Museum of Natural History, held November 

 9, 1903, the following Minute was adopted: 



The Trustees of The American Museum of Natural History record with 

 sadness the death of their distinguished and beloved associate, 



WILLIAM EARL DODGE. 



Mr. Dodge became a member of the Museum in 1870, and was elected to 

 the Board of Trustees in 1872. He was placed on its Executive Committee in 

 1875; and in 1899 he was elected Second Vice-President, serving in this 

 office until February, 1901, when he became First Vice-President. From the 

 beginning of his connection with the Museum until his decease, August 9, 

 1903, he was one of its largest contributors, and took a very active interest in 

 every measure to promote the welfare, growth, development and usefulness of 

 the Institution. His love of the beautiful in nature found in the work of the 

 Museum a most congenial occupation. 



When the Museum made its early efforts in the cause of research and 

 investigation, Mr. Dodge's contributions and counsel came from a knowledge 

 of what was best and wisest to be accomplished to insure results. He often 

 visited the Museum to ascertain its needs, and was always ready with sugges- 

 tions and willing to advise and aid its officers and curators, to help make the 

 Museum what, under its Charter, it set out to be, "to encourage and develop 

 the study of natural science, the advancement of a general knowledge of 

 kindred subjects and the furnishing of popular instruction, recreation and 

 amusement." 



The Trustees and officers always cherished for Mr. Dodge a real affection 

 and esteem, because of his manly qualities of head and heart. He was a 

 faithful friend, a wise counselor, a safe guide and a Christian gentleman. 

 As such his example is worthy for us to imitate and follow. 



This Minute is made at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees since 

 the death of Mr. Dodge, and it is directed that it be entered on the records, 

 and that an engrossed copy of the same be prepared and sent to Mrs. Dodge, 

 with the respectful sympathy of the Trustees, in her loss and sorrow. 



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