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DANIEL CURRIER CHAPMAN. 
early days of photography, as it was subsequently, when 
called upon, in the application of the art to the more precise 
measurements of scientific work. The late Prof. Louis W. 
Rutherfurd, doubtless attracted by the reputation Chapman 
had acquired, combining the qualities of mechanician and 
photographer, had employed him at intervals for a number 
of years, and secured his services for the observatory in 1868. 
When we recall the nature of the investigations Professor Ruth¬ 
erfurd was then engaged upon, we can realize the wisdom of 
his selection. Mr. Chapman continued at the Rutherfurd 
Observatory until 1879, when he accepted an offer from Dr. 
Henry Draper; and in February, 1882, he received an ap¬ 
pointment, under the Superintendent of the Coast and Geo¬ 
detic Survey, in the United States Bureau of Weights and 
Measures. During these fourteen years Mr. Chapman won 
the friendship of many men of science, and is remembered 
by them for his valuable services to Professor Rutherfurd. 
It was during this period, also, that he gained his greatest 
reputation as a photographer, his development of some of 
Professor Rutherfurd’s negatives proving almost marvelous 
in their effects. In 1870 he accompanied one of the United 
States parties, as photographer, to observe the eclipse of the 
sun. While’ employed in the Bureau of Weights and Meas¬ 
ures his skillful work was highly appreciated, and was prob¬ 
ably most fully exemplified, in ruling gratings with a little 
machine of his own construction worked by electric power. 
In February, 1886, on my solicitation, Mr. Chapman was 
transferred to the position of electrotyper and photographer 
in the engraving division of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
Office. This division was at that time my personal charge, 
and continued under my direction until shortly after his 
death. The last nine years of his work were, therefore, under 
my supervision. In this time I learned more fully to appre¬ 
ciate the man, his sterling integrity, unity of purpose, and 
unflagging energy in solving the problems that beset us. I 
found him a man with a large fund of information, but so 
unostentatious that it was only in the heat of discussion I 
