Evening star., 1896-09-21
DEATH OF w. c. WINLOCK'
The Assistant in Charge Of the Smithsonian
Institution Passes Away.
He Was a Man of High Scientific At
tafnMents and Had u Notable
Career.

After a brief illness William Crawford
Winlock assistant in charge of office of the
Smithsonian Institution, died in Bay Head,
N. J., yesterday.
Mr.. Winlock was born at Cambridge,
Mass, on March %, 1859. He was the son
of Prof. Joseph Winlock, who was well
known as the professor of astronomy in
Harvard University and first director of its
observatory, and was. earlier in life, for
many years in the service of the navy as
superintendent of the American Ephemeris
and Nautical Almanac; also serving In the
United States naval observatory in Wash
ington as professor Of mathematics. The
young man was educated at Harvard Uni
versity, graduating IN the class of 1879, and
1t Is interesting to note that among his
classmates were Theodore Roosevelt and
Henry Randall Webb, son of the late Com
missioner Webb of this city. He inherited
a fondness for astronomy from his father,
and. soon after graduating, came to Wash
ington, and was appointed on the scientific
staff of the United States naval oDserra-
tory, then at the corner Of sd ana NJ
Streets the site which Washington had
chosen for his National University.
He was called by Secretary Langley OF
the Smithsonian Institution, on the death
of DR.. ]. II. Kidder. to fill the important
office of curator of international exchanges.
His work in this capacity was so satisfac-
tory that MIR. Langley soon placed him IS
assistant in charge of the office, in addition
to his other duties. In this connection he
had charge of the vast correspondence OF
the institution Later he was also made
curator Of physical apparatus in the
United States National Museum. Mean
while he continued his interest in astron-
omy and prepared the reports on Pro
gress in Astronomy for each year from
1885 to 1852, for the annual reports. as
oil trih ihlrti inD franllpnt r.
ticles astronomy to HarperS Weekly
and other periodicals.
He was prominent in scientific societies,
and had been Tor many years secretary of
the Philosophical Society of Washington,
and to its transaction he contributed
papers OF scientific value. He was also
for some years secretary of the Cosmos
Club. and regular attendant at its meet
ings. Mr.. Winlock had gained the title OF
profess or from his occupancy of the cnair
of astronomy in the Corcoran School oil
Science of Columbian University. He was
a fellow of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science. and was high
ly regarded by his fellow astronomers
throughout the United States.
From time to time he mad been called
upon 10 represent the Secretary of the
Smit thsonian Institution at important scien-
tiic gatherings, and in this capacity was
present at the centennial anniversary OF
the American Philosophical Society in Phil
adelphia In connection with his duties as
curator of international exchanges, he ac-
companicd Secretary Longley to Europe
this summer, and spent some time IN IN
specting the London, Leipzig, Paris ana
other European exchange agencies Of the
institution.
The fatigue of the journey seems to have
prostrated him somewhat. and before re-
turning to Washington he sought feW
days rest with his family at the sea-
shore, when the end came.
When the Society of the Sons OF the
American Revolution was founded in WASH
ington In 1891 it was only natural that he,
whose grandfather mad entered the ranks
Of the American army as private ans
risen steadily until at the close of the gar
he was a captain. becoming. in the second
war with Great Britain in 1872, brigadler
general, should become one of its charter
members and later its secretary.
He was member of the newly orga niZe1
Society Of the War of 1872 in the District.
and a member of the Society of the Cn"in-
Iati in Virginia. in all Of which orgapiza-
tions he took great interest.
Mr.. Winlock leaves wife and children.
The remains will be taken from Bay
Head, n. j., this evening, to Cambridge.
Mass, where the funeral will probably be
held on Wednesday.
A meeting of his associates at the Smith
scnian for the purpose of taking action in
, regard to his death has been called for to-
morrow at o'clock.