Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 58.djvu/98

90 Professor Keeler never groped aimlessly in the dark. He would not attack a problem until he had as fully as possible comprehended its nature and the requirements for success. With the plan of attack completely considered, and the instruments of attack at hand, the execution of his plans involved little loss of time. The Crossley reflector affords a case in point. Assisted by a fellow in astronomy and by the instrument-maker, he devoted five months to preparing the reflector for turning out the magnificent results which at once followed.

Professor Keeler's published papers have a finish and a ripeness which are rarely seen. His love of the beautiful and his artistic skill are evident in all his work.

To speak of the people who had afforded him encouragement at different times in his life was one of his pleasures. His father's friend, Mr. Chas. H. Rockwell, of Tarrytown, was constant in urging the development of so promising a career. He did not forget Professor Hastings' continual kindness and interest during his college days. He frequently spoke of the great value of Mr. William Thaw's interest and encouragement, both to himself and to the Allegheny Observatory; an interest which was continued after Mr. Thaw's death by other members of his family.

The honorary degree of Sc. D. was conferred upon Professor Keeler in 1893 by the University of California. He received the Rumford Medal from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1898 and the Henry Draper Medal from the National Academy of Sciences in 1899. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, an Associate of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow and Foreign Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member and officer of the Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America, an honorary member of the Toronto Astronomical and Physical Society, the president of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, a member of the Washington Academy of Sciences, and of various other organizations. Professor Keeler was an associate editor of 'Astronomy and Astro-physics' during 1892-94, and editor with Prof. George E. Hale of 'The Astrophysical Journal,' since 1895.

It appears that Professor Keeler had long been a mild sufferer from heart weakness; to run even fifteen steps caused him great physical distress. It is feared that on Mt. Hamilton he worked beyond his strength. His weakness seemed to develop rapidly this summer. He went away from the observatory on July 30, in the best of spirits and with no anxiety, to secure medical treatment and to spend a brief vacation in the northern part of the State. Increasing difficulty in breathing led him to seek skilled treatment in San Francisco on August 10. His dangerous