Connecticut western news., 1888-09-19
PROFESSOR PROCTOR DEAD.
The English Astronomer Fatally At
 tackled with Yellow Fever. THE LIFE WORK OF THE MAN.

Professor Richard A. Proctor, of Harvard University, the renowned astronomer, died of yellow fever at Willard Parker Hospital, New York; an institution expressly provided by the Board of Health for contagious diseases. Pro- lessor Proctor left Oak Lawn, Florida a week previous iR good health. He became indis- posed, however, and his illness developed such suspicious character that he was re- moved from his hotel to the hospital.
 Richard Anthony Proctor was born in Chel- sea, England, on March 23, 1857. He was a very delicate boy, and his early education took place at home. At proper age Inc was entered at Eton, and subsequently, at Kings College, Oxford. He was twcnty-third wrangler ill his class. Astronomical studies had always engaged his attention.
 Having analysed results collected by the Herschels, Struve and others, and carried out a series of original researches, including the con -tlnction of a chart of 324 ,0G0 stars. Pro- lessor Proctor was led to a new theory of the structure of tho stellar universe; investigated the condition of the transit of Venus in 1874 and 1SS3, end published many illustrative charts. He maintained, on theoretical grounds in 1869, the since established theory of the so- lar corona, and also that of tho inner complex solar atmosphere, afterward discovered by Pro- lessor Young in this country. Mir. Proctor lectured on astronomy in America in 1875 1. He again visited the United States in 1875, and after an absence of seven months, during which he delivered l4, lectures, he returned to England in May, 1876. In November, lS75 MT. Proctor announced in letter to the New York Tribune that he had severed his connection with the Roman Catholic Church, to which he had been a convert of some years standing The theolo- gians of the church, ho ntimatcd, had con vinced him that the holding of certain scien- ti6c views was incompatible with loyalty to the faith. As, however, he was convinced that these scientific views were i'll the main correct, he, acting on his private and individual judg- ment, thought he had no alternative but to abandon tho church.
 MT. Proctor married in St. Joseph, Mo-, in 1875, and made his homo ill that city for a number of years.
 Several years ago he published a book on the probabilities in poker, in which he demon stratrd the precise mathematical chances of every possible combina ton of the game. Whist was his favorite game, and he dep lored the fondness Americans have for poker. He at tackled the morality of tho gamo sava gely say ing that a "bluf was essentially theft. MT. Proctor's attack evoked from Branden Mat thews the novelist, most brilliant defense of the American national game.
 Professor Proctor was one of the most prolific writers on scientific subjects of the present day, being contributor to all tho leading Eng fish magazines and periodicals, and tho author of many volumes of essays and scientific works. A partial list of his writings is as follows: 'Other Worlds than Ours" "Light Science for Leisure Hours, "'The Border Land of Science" ''Essays on Astronomy" ''All the Orbs Around Us" "Rongh Ways Made Smooth," ssThe Uni verse of Stars" ''rhc Transits of Venus" :" Science By Ways" Myths and Marvels of Astronomy" Pheasant Ways in Science" "Flowers of the sky" ''The Poetry of Astron- omy," Familiar Science Studies, "The Great Pyramid, "Mysteros of Time and Spacc," ''The Universe of the Suns," "How to Play Whist" and ''The Science of Botany."