Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-23
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY
Distinction of Membership Conferred on
Two Scientists.
Director Walcott of the Geological
Survey and Prof. Woodward of
Columbian College HonOred.

Today's session of the National Academy
of Sciences, which was held in the National
Museum building, was perhaps the most
important of the three sessions thus far
held. AT least it had an Importance to the
scientists and their friends who were look
ing forward to the honor of an election as
member of the academy. AS has been the
case. during the two previous days, the
business meeting was a private one, and
was longer than any before held. Almost
the entire time was occupied with the con-
sideration of the qualifications of those pre-
sented as candidates fer membership.
1t was within the power of the academy
10 bestow the distinction of member of the
National Academy on five persons but as
result of their deliberations only two were
elected, and these two may both be con-
s:dered Washington men. One was Charles
Doolittle WalCott, the director of the United
states geological survey, ana the other was
Robert Simpson Woodward, professor of
mechanics in Columbian College. Prof.
Woodward is well known in this city, hav-
irg been connected at different times with
the naval observatory, with the geological
survey and with the coast and geodetic
survey.
Charles ID. WaIcOtt.
Charles Doollttle Walcott was born at
New York Mills. NY, March 81, 1870.
Was educated i'll the public schools of
Utica, NY, with & view to entering 1ner-
camille life, but he early showed u pre!i-
lection for geological research, his first
field excursion being made in mis- thirteenth
year. III 1876 he was appointed assistant
to Prof. James Hall. state geologist of New
York, and. while holding that position,
made researches not only i'll New York
but in Ohio and in Indiana and in Canada
In 1879 he was appointed an assistant
geoicgist in the United States geological
survey, and in 1888 became paleontolcSist
in charge of invertebrate paleontology In
1880 he was made chief paIeontoIoclst and
in 1892 his title was changed to geologist
and he vas placed in genera! charge, under
the director, of both the geologic and pale
ontologic work of the geological survey.
on July l, 1894 he succeeded Maj J. w
Powell in the directorship of the United
States geological survey.
In 1Sbs he was appointed honorary crra-
tor OF paieonzoic lnvertebrate fossils in the
United States National Museum. This DO
sItlon he held until the latter part Of 1Scr,
when he was invited by the director of the
National Museum to take general charge of
all work and collections in that institution
pertaining to fossils. This he did with the
title of honorary curator of the department
OF pa!eontoloSy. This position he now
holds.
Mr.. Walcott is member of numerous
sclentllc societies and a fellow of the
American Association for the Advancement {
of Science. His published writings include
many extended treatises published in the
IepoItS, monographs ana bulletins of the
United States geological survey and in the
proceedings of the National Museum, be-
sides numerous contributions to scientific
Journals and reports Of scientific societies.
Robert S. Woodward.
Robert Simpson Woodward was born at
Rochester Mich, July p, 1919 He was
educated at the University of Michigan
and during the ten years from 1872 to 1882
he was assistant engineer in the United
States lake survey. He then became asso-
ciated with the United States transit of
venus commission as astronomer, continu-
ing IN that capacity for two years From
1881 10 lS'tJ he was astronomer in the United
states geological survey, and from 1890 to
1913 he was assistant in the United States
coast and Seodetic survey. He then ac-
cepted the position, which he now occupies
as professor of mechanics of Columbia Col
leSe- tie Is member of the American AS
sociatlon for the Advancement of Science
His chief contributions to science have been
in the field of precise mensura ton, geodesv
the physics of the earth, physical astronomy
ana pure mathematics. A large number Of
papers on these and kindred TOPICS have
been published.
AT the close of the business meeting nub-
lie meeting was held, when a number of
papers were read.