The Press., 1893-02-23
From the Inventive Age.lS COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS.
A Brief Sketch of His Life and Public
 Services.


 Our present commissioner of patents, William Edgar Simonds, distinguished American patent lawyer and author, pro- lessor of patent law in Yale University and in the Columbian University of Wash ington, D. O., late representative in con- gress from the first district of Connecti- cut, and since 1891 United States commis- sioner of patents, was born in Collins vile, Conn.,, Nov. 24 1842 He was eiu- cated in the graded and common schools of his native village, and in the Connecti- cut state normal school, from which he graduated in 1860. He taught school un- til 1862, when he entered the union army as private in Co. A, twenty fifth Conn. infanty. At the battle of Irish Bend, La, |, he was promoted to the rank of flietenant.
 Upon leaving the army MT. Simonds entered Yale law school, graduating in 1865. After two years of general prac- tice, he became interested in patent law, and since then has devoted himself ex- clusively to this branch of the profession. The results of his researches in this de- partment are embodied in several works, recognized as standard authorities. These are entitled "Design Patents, Digest of Patent Office Decisions" Summary of Patent Law," and Digest of Patent Cases" embracing all patent cases decided since the foundation of the government. Mir. Simonds is recognized as an author ity on patent law, and his practice is drawn from all parts of the United States.
 In 1883 MT. Simonds was elected to the Connecticut legislature, and being reelect- ed in 1885, he had the honor of being chosen speaker, and his administration of that office was such as to make every member his personal and lasting friend His successful career in the state legisla- ture naturally led to his election to con- gress in 188. Here he signalized his ser vice by his brilliant and effectual advo- cacy of the international copyright bill.
 In 1891 the office of commissioner of patents having become vacant, President Harrison appointed MT. Simonds to the position. The selection proved accept rble to persons of all shades of political belief, and was favorably commented up- on throughout the whole union, the spec ial fitness of the appointtee being ac- ~knowledged on all hands.
 MT. Simonds is also known as close student of political economy. His papers on "Discontent among the Laboring Classes' in the state labor report of 1888, and on "Wool and Woolens," published in the Hartford Post, were widely copied by the public press. MT. Simonds has been the orator of the day on number of notable occasions. His eulogy on the late Marshall Jewell, of Connecticut, deliv- cred in 1883; his Gettysburg appropria- tion speech delivered in 1885; his memo rial day oration at Hartford, on June 30, 1887, and his historical discourse on the centennial of the Governors Horse Gual ds in 1889, are all recognized as masterly ef- forts. Few citizens of Connecticut are more popular thanC Commissioner Simonds. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion of the United States, and also of several leading organizations of a civic and benevolent character. Yale University gave him al honorary degree in 1890, and France made kim @, Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1891.
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