460 Henry Augustus Rowland. 



We shall not attempt here a close analysis of Professor 

 Rowland's contributions to science, a list of the most important 

 is given below ; as a man of unique genius his work will always 

 remain, but at the present time we feel more drawn to speak 

 of his personal character than of his achievements. 



In two public addresses (before the American Association 

 for the Advancement of Science in 1883, and before the 

 American Physical Society in 1 899) he set forth his ideas of 

 what should be the aims and methods of the scientific man. 

 Both breathe the same spirit — utter dissatisfaction with what 

 is mediocre, and longing for what is great and important ; 

 great contempt for sham, and high appreciation of the labors 

 of those who have unselfishly devoted their lives to the 

 advance of pure science. 



In the first he speaks of American science as " a thing of 

 the future"; in the second he recognizes that some steps have 

 been taken and that there are a number of students entirely 

 given up to the pursuit of pure science ; and he points out the 

 great problems awaiting solution. 



Like all great men, he felt that the work he had undertaken 

 was the most important work a man could do ; he spoke of 

 physical science as u a science above all sciences, which deals 

 with the foundation of the Universe, with the constitution of 

 matter, .... with the ether of space . . . . ," and he threw 

 himself into it with all his heart and soul. 



As a result he thoroughly mastered his subject and his 

 native genius gave him a quick and sure insight into natural 

 phenomena. This last gave him a confidence in his own con- 

 clusions and he bowed to no one but his peers. 



During his connection with the University he held weekly 

 conferences on the current literature of physical science, and 

 it was probably on these occasions that he did most to help his 

 students to broad and deep conceptions of physical laws. His 

 criticisms were very severe, but they were not captious ; it was 

 always his method to examine an investigation closely, to see 

 what errors were committed and to show how such errors 

 could be avoided. His own investigations fully show the 

 result of this painstaking care. 



He thoroughly appreciated the importance of organized 



