Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-28
PASSING OF JOHN MEREDITH READ.
Famous American Diriomnt After II
nrilIinmI Enrcer nlnn nj nnrls.

Famous American Dtrtomnt AFTER n
brilliant Career Dies Mt Paris.
PARIS, Dec. 27.-General Meredith Read
died this morning.
John Meredith Read, diplomat, was born
in Philadelphia, on February %. 1887. He
received his education at a military school
and at Brown, where he received the degree
Of A. NJ. in 1866; was graduated at the
Albany law school In 1859. studied interna-
tional law in Europe, was admitted to the
bar in Philadelphia and alterward removed
TO Albany. n. Y. He was adjutant general
OF New York in 1S60-66. He was one of the
originators Of the wide Awake Political
Club" He was chairman In April of the
same year Of the committee TO draft a bill
in behalf OF New York state appTJpriating
$500, 900 for the purchase OF arms and equip
mente, and he subsequently received the
thanks OF the War department for his ability
and zeal in organizing, equipping and for
warding troops.
He was first United States consul general
for France and Algeria in 1S69-73, and 1S7O-72
and acting consul general during the Franco
German war. After the war he was ap-
pointed by General de Cessey, minister Of
war. to perform and preside over Il Commss
sion to examine into the dosiIability OF teach
ing the English language to the French
trooI6.
In November, 1873, he was appointed
United States minister resident in Greece
During the Russo-Turkish war he dlscov-
cred that only one port In Russia was still
open, and he pointed to Secretary Evarts the
advantages that would accrue to the COM
merCc of the United States were grain fleet
dispatched from New York to that port. The
event justified his judgment, since the eN-
ports of cereals from the United States
showed an increaee within year OF S73,-
600 600. While minister to Greece he re-
celved the thanks of his government for his
effectual protection OF American persons and
interests in the dangerous crisis of 1878
Soon afterward congress, from motives of
economy, refused the appropriation for the
legation at Athens and General Read, belev-
ing the time was too critical to withdraw the
mission carried it at his individual ex-
ponce until his resignation, September 90.
1879 In 1881 when, owing In part to his
efforts, after his resignation, the territory
that had been adjudged TO Greece had been
knight of the Grand Cross OF the Order of
Redeemer, the highest dignity in the gift of
the Greek government.
General Read was president of the Social
Science congress at Albany. n. Y. in 1868.
and vice president of the one at Plymouth
England, in 1872 He was author of His
torical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson, "
which first threw light upon his origin and
the sources of the ideas of the navigator.
BERLIN, Dec. 27-Prof. Heinrichs Dubois
Redmond, NJ D., +. II. s.. is dead. He
was a member and perpetual secretary of
the Royal Academy Of Sciences at Berlin,
professor In ordinary of psychology in the
University of Berlin and director of the
Psychological institute. He was born in
Berlin in 1918
FREDERICK, Nd, Dec. 27.-Charles W.
Hoffman, LII. D., librarian of the United
states supreme court since 1873. died at his
home in this city today Of pneumonia. He
was 81 years of age unmarried and leaves
an estate worth nearly 100000
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 27.-Charles D.
Parrish, one of the oldest and wealthiest
coal operators in Pennsylvania, died here
tonight.
SHEFFIELD. Eng, Dec. 27-Sir John
Brown, founder of the Shefiield steel firm,
is dead. He was born in 1915, was mayor
of Sheffield IN 1SG2-63 and master cutler
there in 1866. He held various local of
fees.