WILLIAM HARKNESS. 
295 
finally, in February, 1889, published the resulting parallax 
as derived from the discussion of these observations. In 
1881-1883 he was at work upon the reduction of the zone 
of stars observed by J. H. Gilliss, Santiago, Chile, during 
the years 1849-1852; after some interruption, for lack of 
funds, it was completed and published in 1895. In May, 
1876, he set up the government exhibit at the Centennial 
Exposition, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His publications 
cover reports on all these numerous works,besides many scien¬ 
tific papers in various journals. In his travels he visited 
nearly all countries of the world, and acquired a very exten¬ 
sive knowledge of men and affairs, which molded his conver¬ 
sation and judgment in maturer years, as mentioned above. 
He entered Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, in 
1854, but removed with his parents to Rochester, New York, 
and graduated with an A. B. at the Rochester University in 
1858, receiving the degrees of A.M. in 1861 and LL.D. in 1874 
from his Alma Mater; studied medicine in New York, and re¬ 
ceived the degree of M. D. in 1862 ; was a reporter on news¬ 
papers in 1858 and 1860; was appointed aid in astronomy at 
the U. S. Naval Observatory August 1,1862; served as surgeon 
at the Second Battle of Bull Run August 30,1862 ; commis¬ 
sioned Professor of Mathematics U. S. N. August 24, 1863; 
served with the army during Early’s attack on Washington, 
July 11-12, 1864; served on the U. S. monitor Monadnock 
October 17, 1865, to June 23, 1866, and was present at the 
bombardment, by the Spanish fleet, of Valparaiso, March 
31, 1866, and of Callas, May 2, 1866; was attached to the 
Hydrographic Office October 14, 1866, to October 1, 1867; 
was transferred to the U. S. Naval Observatory October 1, 
1867, and remained till his retirement, December 17, 1899. 
He was made lieutenant commander August 24,1863; com¬ 
mander, May 31, 1872; captain, April 17, 1878, and rear 
admiral, December 17,1899. He was appointed chief astro¬ 
nomical assistant to the Superintendent of the Naval Ob¬ 
servatory September 21, 1894, and Director of the Nautical 
Almanac June 30, 1897. He was Vice-President of the 
