1908-9.] 
Obituary Notice. 
749 
OBITUARY NOTICE. 
John Hardy, Librarian R.S.E. 
Minute of Council , Royal Society, 25th June 1909. 
■“ The Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh desire to place on 
record their high appreciation of the services of their Librarian, Mr John 
Hardy, who died on the 25th May 1909. 
“ After a preliminary training in the Library of the University of Edin- 
burgh, Mr Hardy became Assistant Librarian to the Society under the late 
Mr Gordon on 13th June 1887, and, on Mr Gordon’s retirement on 21st 
February 1902, was appointed Librarian. He was therefore twenty-two 
years in the service of the Society. The great improvement of the Library, 
begun by Mr Gordon, was carried so far by Mr Hardy that it is now one of 
the best Scientific Libraries in the United Kingdom. He was most zealous 
and efficient in the conduct of the general business of the Society. Many 
of the excellent arrangements now in use, which have contributed so much 
to the promptness and perfection of our publications, were devised by Mr 
Hardy ; and in practice all of them owed much to his high intelligence and 
unremitting attention. 
“ A man of somewhat retiring disposition, he was nevertheless possessed 
of much knowledge of men and affairs, of great tact and judgment, of never- 
failing courtesy and discretion. The Fellows of the Society who knew 
him, and visitors who used the Library during his term of office, will 
remember with kindly regret his pleasant smile and obliging attentions : 
and the Officials of the Society will not soon forget the thorough knowledge 
of the Society’s affairs, and the admirable business capacity which did so 
much to lighten their work for the Society. During the removal of the 
Society to its new building Mr Hardy’s services were invaluable. The 
scheme for the rearrangement of the new building was to a very large 
extent due to him ; and thanks to this scheme and the able training and 
supervision of his Chief, Mr Stewart the Sub-Librarian was able to complete 
the transference of the Library in a reasonable time with very little friction. 
Mr Hardy’s interest in the affairs of the Society did not flag even during 
his last illness, but continued keen till the day of his death ; and it is a 
matter of much regret to the Council that he did not live to enjoy the 
improved accommodation now provided for the Librarian, and otherwise to 
reap the fruit of his faithful labour in the interest of the Royal Society.” 
