Evening star., 1938-08-22
OTTO T|TTMANN
DIES IN NLEESBURC
Former Head of Geodetic
Survey and National
Geographic Society.

DR.. Otto Hilgard Tittmann, s8,
former head Of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey and president of the National
Geographic Society from 1915 to 1919,
died yesterday at his home in Lees
burg. Va.
Death, which came the day after his
birthday, was sudden. His son. Maj.
Charles Trowbridge Tittmann, 17l8
Connecticut avenue NV, we'll known
concert basso. had returned from
week end visit to Leesburg when
he received word of DR.. Tittmann's
death and rushed back to Virginia.
DR.. Tittman, who had served on
many scientific expeditions. accom-
panied the Transit of Vensus Expedi-
ton to Japan in 1874 as assistant
astronomer He had been in charge
of surveying expeditions on the East
and West Coasts in this country
In 1890. he was sent to Paris to
bring to the United States the national
standard metre and to inspect weights
and measures Offices in London, Paris
and Berlin. In 1899 he was appointed
to represent the United States in de-
markation of boundary between Alaska
and Canada. And. in 1895 he had
served as United States delegate to
the International Geodetic Conference
in Berlin. In 1900 he became men,
Der of the Permanent Commission OF
the International Geodetic Association
Native Of Illinois.
He also was United States commits
sioner for the Alaska boundary, 1904
and of the Northern boundaries, ex-
cepting the Great Lakes, under the
treaty of 1908 until he resigned in
1915.
DR.. Tittmann's service with the
Coast and Geodetic Survey began in
1867. He was assistant In charge of
the surveys Office from 1895 to 1899
when he became assistant superin-
tendent. He was made superintendent
in 1900 and remained in that Office
until retiring from the survey in 1915
DR.. Tittmann was widely known as a
geodesist. A native of Belleville, H.
he received his early education in
public schools there and subsequently
received degrees from Stevens 1nsti-
tute, Washington University and
George Washington University.
Wrote Many Articles.
He was fellow of the Philosophical
Society Of Washington, which he
served as president in 1899: a member
of the American Philosophical Society
and al one time was president of the
Washington Academy Of Sciences.
DR.. Tlttmann also was a member of
the Cosmos Club here. serving as its
president In 1904 Among other or
carnations with which he had been
affiliated were the American Associa-
ton for the Advancement Of Science
Of which he was fellow, and one
time being vice president: the Amer
lean Neurological Society and the
American Society of Civil Engineers
At the time of his death DR.
Tittmann was one of three surviving
original incorporators of the National
Geographic Society, the others being
DR.. c. Hart Merriam and Dr.. j.
Howard Gore. both Of this city. DR.
Tittmann was life member of the
Board of Trustees Of the society.
DR.. Gilbert Grosvenor. president OF
the National Geographic Society, to-
day praised DR.. Tittmanns long serv-
ice to the society and said he had
hardly ever missed a meeting of the
Board of Trustees DR.. Tittmann hao
served the society for five years as vice
president before becoming its presi-
dent.
DR.. Tittmann contributed article.
to various publications OF the surve,
and had written numerous articles
dealing with geodesy and neurology.
Besides his son. among survivors are
two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wed.
nesday morning in St. James Epis.
copal Church, Leesburg. Burial viii
be in Union Cemetery there.