New-York tribune., 1900-08-14
OBITUARY.
PROFESSOR JAMES E. KELLER.

PROFESSOR JAMES b. hEbLEh'
San Francisco Aug. l3-Professor James r.
Keeler, eminent astronomer. and for the last TWO
years Director of the Lick Observatory at oH5 nd
was forty-three years old
Professor Keeler was born in La Sale Ill, IN
1856. While yet lad he evinced scientific tastes oy
experimenting in chemistry, electricity ana steam
engineering. His parents having removed to Flor
ida he led by chance to make and use survey
ing Instruments among them theodolite Ihus
he became familiar with the theory and use OF
small telescopes In fact. he made two or three OF
the latter himself. And he has been heard to re-
mark that observations which he MADE IN later
life gave him such delight his first glimpse OF
Saturn through his 21anch telescope and its cedar
tube.
While in Johns Hopkins University qS77-1SSD this
amateur astronomers tastes and ambitions were
stimulated in a variety Of ways. Through the
kindness Of Charles H. Rockwell, of Tarrytown
N Y. he was enabled take part in the solar
eclipse expedition which went to Colorado in 1873
under the direction OF Professor Holden. In the
spring of 1881 Professor Langley (whom Mr.. Keeler
afterward succeeded director Of the Allegheny
Observatory gave a series of lectures at Johns
Hopkins. and at that time he had the assistance of
the young enthusiast, in whom, no DOUBT he even
then recognized a kindred spirit. Later in the
season, before his formal graduation. Mr..
Keeler enlisted by Professor Langley In the
famous Mount Whitney California; expedition for
the study of solar physics. The next year or two
were spent abroad in study with Quincke in Heidel-
berg. and Won Helmhotz. IN Berlin. Upon his re-
turn he conducted several researches under Pro
fessor Langley's direction.
Professor Keeer intimately associated with
the Lick Observatory at two different periods OF
his life Beginning in April, 1856. assistant to
the trustees. he made full astronomer in
June, 1885, when the observatory transferred to
the State. His work chiefly in the department
OF spectroscopes. He also had charge Of the time
service, afterward with the aid of assistant
With the 36-inch telescope and the Mills spectre
scope (mede from Professor Keeler's drawngs) he
measured spectra OF and planets, and dis
covered ana measured the motions of the nebulae
Within very short time the accuracy Of his work
became famous. And many disputed pointS-like
Of the precise position of the chief line in this
Lockyer disagreed-were referred hlm for de-
termination
The post which Professor Keeler occupied at
Mount Hamilton abandoned in 1889 The i'm
preston has prevailed that the cause of his resg
nation was unfortunate differences with the al
rector. But, while this doubtless the corTecL
explanation of other Withdrawals from the Lick
Observatory Professor heeler invariably declared
that he actuated by different considera tions
At any rate, shortly after he left Mount Hamilton
TO take charge Of the Allegheny Observatory he
married.
At Allegheny his work almost exclusively in
the line of stellar spectrosCopy. He succeeded in
getting many excellent photographs in that part of
! the spectrum where the rays have less actinic
value than in the violet region. However the
not especially favorable undertakings Of this
| kind. Professor Keeler's determination with the
spectroscope OF the fact that Saturns ring is
| posed Of small detached particles Undoubtedly