New-York tribune., 1895-07-14
A GREAT ASTRONOMER
THE LIFE AND WORK OF PROFESSOR
SIMON NEwcOMB
FROM COUNTRY sCHooL-TEAcHER TO LEADING
ASTRONOMER OF THE woRLD-HIs EARLY
srRuGGLEs-AN ENEMY OF cRANKs AND
BOREs GLIMPSE AT HIS
WASHINGTON HOME.

| long stride. Among the dplon aS. medaIs' ueBrees
and letters from royalties and scientists In Pro-
fessor Newcomb's possession Is worn slip OF paper
| which reads:
This IL to certify that Mr.. Simon Newcomb was
well qualified to instruct children IN tne various
sSSd moral He nsssa
mathematics JOHN " j. suDLER.
Trustees for Primary School No. T. Of O. A. Co.. for
| sudiersville November o. 1855.
1t was while teaching this same country school
that Professor Newcomb began his scientific career
with n paper published IN The National 1nteli-
| gencer' at Washington. over his own signature. In
answer to some upsart. who essayed to refute the
Coperncan system Of astronomy. This paper brought
| pleasing acknowledgements from scientific men.
| Some time afterward young Newcomb made the ac-
| auaIntance OF Professor Henry. "who," he says.
| encouraged and promoted my Advancement In a
| way which will ever be remen bered by me and my
children" Through Professor Henry's influence an
| annointment was secured for him THE Nautical
Almanac" at that time published In Cambridge
Residence at Cambridge opened up a new world to
the future astronomer and Intercourse with scen-
tac men was stimulating and educating. Mr. New
comb at entered the Lawrence Scientific School
and attended the lectures OF Professor Pierce. He
| subsequently took his degree here.
EARLY STRUGGLES.
II must be both amusing and gratifying to man
on the top OF the ladder Of fame TO remember his
strignles to reach that exalted position. Professor
| Neycomb was born In the northern part of Nova
Scotia and his boyhood spent In that bleak
region, where there were few educational advan-
| tages Ills father. however. was a school-tencher
| and he Mt least lived In n congenlal atmosphere
lie soon pushed beyond his fathers teaching and
| the hunger and thirst for knowledge were always
| upon him. His unusual ambition In this direction
| was almost an embarrassment. and he says In re-
gard 20 this passion for study: I'm M own eyes
| was rtsus naturae' born with n taste for things
| which were OF no use. and without any OF tho
,owcrs necessary to gain respectable living"
From the moment OF his appointment as COM
pute- on THE Nautical Almanac Professor New
combs way comparatively smooth. In 1851
without examination and without recommendation
save that OF his extraordinary ability. he was ap-
po,ntcd 10 a professorsh!p In the Navy. and In iss7
hc WAS made superintendent Of The American
Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac" which position
ne still holds.
In Europe and in America, among those who rec
ognze the fact tha, Professor Newcomb stands NJ
the head Of hs profession. there Is general I'M
preston that ne Is ir charge OF the Naval Observa-
tory According 10 precedent. II not according 10
law this institution Is superintcnded by naval
officer Recently there has been a change In Its
Internal management which gives the astronomical
direction 20 .c!enrst II Is currently believed
that Professor Ncwcomb was offered the position
Of astronomical director. now held by Professor
darkness II this oyer was made u was declined.
J n, the presidency o. the University of California
end other nattcng offers. with double the salary
allowed him by the Government. were declined. be-
cause before everything Professor Newcosnb Is n
scientist; and the love Of his profession for It's own
sake is above all material advantages. The tables
Of the planets which have been his Network are
suii unfinished. and his ambition to complete
these before his retirement from the Navy two
years hence Is responsible for the rejection OF many
tempting proposals These tables are the most ae-
curaie o. any In existence. and have been adopted
In all tho nautical alnanacs Of Europe and
America. and Will have effect upon accurate as
,ronomy for century TO come. Tho formula Pro-
fessor Newcomb In preparing these tables in
wolves tho most complete mathematical discussion
OF any known. and through the more extended oh
oryatons available he has reduced these tables 10
a homogeneous system.
HoNORs FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
For his work on these tables honors havo come
10 him from all over the world: cvery honor. In
fact. that could be offered he has received. In
tho bay window OF his drawing room stands a rare
vase OF Jasper on n pedestal OF black marble which.
says Mr. Nyrens letter announcing the gift. "in
recognition Of these deserts. His Majesty tho En-
peror has graciously sent as present for you.
from the Observatory OF PulkovA" The Observa-
tory OF Toxic sent two bronze vases OF exquisite
workmanship and design and great intrinsic value.
Every university In the world OF any reputation
has given him a degree. The Royal Astronomical
Society awarded him n gold medal In 1874: I'm 1878
he received from Leyden the Huyshens medal.
which Is given only once In twenty years for the
most important work accomplished in astronomy
between the awards. and In 1870 the Ro, Society
OF England sent him the Copley medal. when he
was abroad he was feted every where. and tasted
that homage and received that tribute which Euro
peans delight to render TO their great scholars,
which are Amos, unknown In America
Professor Newcomb Is the most simple and modest
he deprecates any unusual stir on his account.
As much as Carlyle did. he hates shams and make
believe. and his love OF honesty and truth is the
strongest point In his character. lie Is without
question at tho head OF his profession to-day, ard
among the creates, mathematical astronomers OF
all time He IL, In a word. mathematical genius.
md his work shows the chief OF gen.
hs boldness and Independence. unhandlcapped by
tradition and precedent. In appearance Professor
Newcomb is OF medium height. stouty built. His
head is large and massive. thick iron-gray hair
waves back from broad. low forehead. ana
heavy eyebrows shade large and honest eyes HIS
features arc strong and he wears small beard.
which. like his hair. showns signs OF gray. HIS
whole appearance and personality Indicate force.
There Is a popular belief among those who know
him superncally that he Is brusque. which Is ac-
counted for by his direct and positive manner
There Il certainly nothing OF the courtier about
him. but he possesses the enviable talent OF at
tracing people to him. especially those with whom
his work brings him In contact. Perhaps the best
testimony OF the sweetness and responsiveness OF
his character, beneath an almost impenetrable re-
serve Is the affection OF his subordnates for him.
A CRANK WELL sNuBBED.
From years OF experience Professor Newcomb has
learned to recognize a crank at first sight. This
talent and a certain grim Yankee humor result In
many humorous situations. Recently a man. ono
OF those Industrious and ambitious individuals who
in nude
tablished law, called upon Professor Newcomb
who at a glance was able to classify his visitor.
Are you Mr. Newcomb7" asked the stranger.
eyes" answered the professor shortly.
Professor Simon Newcomb. the eminent astrono-
mer?"
''That Is my name" said the eminent astrono-
II came TO ask you," said the visitor. what your
theory is about the attraction OF gravitAtion,