New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-21
PROFESSOR HENRY DRAPER.

Like Agassiz and Professor Benjamin PIERCE,
Professor Draper was one of the few American
scholars whose ardOr for original investigation
was never quenchtd 10y the routine work OF
the classroom. This is perhaps the salient
feature of the rich and fruitful life which has
prematurply drawn to close. Other men there
are who, similarly endowed with the gifts OF
fortune. would have been content to follow
the beaten track of instruction and to lead non
ored yet unproductive lives, shrinking from
the pain and travail inevitable Tor the leader
who wrests new truths from Natures unwilling
grasp. But Professor Draper proved himself
the worthy son of an ilustrious sire. Begin
ming physiological research when in his teens,
his broad mind enabled him to pursue @ith
equal zeal and with even greater results the
subjects of chemistry, astronomy, ana especi-
ally celestial photography, his discoveries III
which form the foundation upon which DIS
fame as "A scientist will most surely rest. As
the first to obtain photograph oil the nNeu
lines in the spectra of st1rs as the unequalleu
photographer of the dflractiOn spectrum as the
discoverer of oxygen in the sun and the bold
exponent Of a new theory or the solar SPEC
trum. and as a successful photographer OF the
nebnln in Orion, Professor Diapers memory
will he held in honOred remembrance among
scientific men of all nations, while his Work as
Superintendent of the Photographic Depart
ment at the Transit of Venus in 1874 met with
a degree of popular appreciation gratifying
both to father and sou.
One feature of Professor Diapers life adds a
double distinction to bis discoveries upon the
character and composition of celestial bodies.
His work was done alone and FROM his private
means. without AID from associations or endow
ment funds, and his lavish expenditures upon
his magnificent observatory and laboratory
proyed his Unborn love OF scientific research.
Sngularly happy in his power OF impartng
knowledge, his lucid interpretations OF the prln-
clples of chemistry and physiology gave him
ready prominence as an Instructor More
than a scientist pure and simple, he was alive
to the practical needs Of the world around him.
and the recent Illustration OF his signal success
II regulating the motive power supplying cleo
tic lights showed services which Will be OF I'M
mediate and most important practical use.
And aside from the scientific research III which
the keeply analytical qualities of his mind and his
power of bold yet judicial deductions were seen
to such marked advantage, Professor Driper's
memory will DC long cherished as an accom-
plished man of the world, gracious and genial
in the drawing-room. holding his own in bust
ness circles, yet turning from every distraction
with renewed ardor to the painful self-absorp-
ton of his study and observatory. Wonder
fully full and varied as his career has been,
mingling SO many diverse interests and pursuits
there is vet no one now, as at the burial Of Will
IAN the Conaueror, to deny his right to a
grave on account of unrightel wrong for his
life bias been that of a modern Bayard, without
fear and without reproach.