Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-08

DR.. william Houston Greene, president
Of the Stephen Greene Printing Conn.,
pany and widely known in social. musi-
cal and financial circles. died suddenly
early this morning at his summer home,
Wenonah N. ].
Death came while he was asleep and
Is believed to have been due to heart
disease. caused by the intense heat.
Doctor Greene was sixty-f1ve years old.
Though probably better known as a
patron of music because of his connec-
tion with the Musical Art Club, of which
he had been president for years, and be-
cause of his wife's prominence in musi-
cal circles, she possessing a beautiful
soprano voice, Doctor Greene was an
eminent scientist.
He had done such research work. and
was professor of chemistry at the Cen
trail High School for several years
Developed Industry
On the death of his father, he
took charge of the printing business
founded by the latter. and developed 1t
into, one of the largest industries of the
kind in the city. The plant is on the
Parkway at Sixteenth and Arch streets.
Doctor Greene lived during the winter
in a big double house that occupied the
properties at 212S and 2130 Spruce
street, WneTe ne entertained all tH6
prominent singers and musicians who
home at Wenonah Is a fine estate, his
father having founded that village and
having owned most of the land in that
section at one time.
Mrs. Greene, who before her marriage
was Miss Sarah Cavanaugh, daughter
of Paul Cavanaugh, former prominent
member of the Board of Education, sings
. great deal for charity. A son. Stephen
: Greene, I'd, also survives Doctor Greene.
Graduate Of Jefferson
Born in Columbia, Pa, December 80.
1858. Doctor Greene took his Master
of Arts degree at the Central High
School, this city, and later was gradu-
ated from the Jefferson Medical Col
lege. He was an assistant professor of
chemistry at Jefferson from 1870 to
1877 and was demonstrator of chem
istry for two years. In 1877 he went
to Paris and studied under Adolph
Wurtz for two years.
4 On his return to Philadelphia he was
appointed a demonstrator of chemistry
at the University of Pennsylvania, which
post he held for year. resignng in
1880 to accept the chair of chemistry at
the Central High School. He remained
there until the death of his father in
1892.
Doctor Greene was a fellow of the
Chemical Societies of London and Paris
of the American Philosophical Society
and of the Philadelphia County Medical
Society. He was the author of a num-
ber of books and articles on chemistry,
Including translations from the French
works by Adolph Wurtz and Paul Berts's
"First Steps in Scientific knowledge"
Of which he was the American editor
Won Fame Abroad
Like many modest Americans, he was
more famous abroad than he was here,
for in his native city his publishing busi-
ness, his many unostentatious charities,
his musical and social interests, and
his hearty enjoyment of the society Of
his friends. stood out more than the
valuable but less obvious contributions
to the science of chemistry,
His articles were eagerly accepted by
foreign journals, and he was held in high
esteem by his fellow chemists Of France
and England.
The death of Doctor Greene came as
a great shock to his friends. He had
seemed In health this summer, though
complaining somewhat of insomnia of
late. However, he had not consulted a
physician. and insisted on being at his
ONCE every day, making the trip to
and from Wenonah in his motor.
Doctor Greene was a member of the
University Club and Union League. He
took much interest In the Musical Arts
4 Club. and II was his personal effort that
K made zpossible the new building Of that
6eGaQlyation- < N