Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 62.djvu/191

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the request of the executive committee of the Carnegie Institution I am compiling a biographical index of the men of science of the United States. It is intended in the first instance for the use of the institution, but it will probably also be published. The index should include all those who have carried on research in science, the term, however, being used in its narrower sense so as not to include on the one hand philology, history, economics, etc., nor on the other hand medicine, engineering, education, etc., except in so far as these applied sciences may contribute to pure science.

During the summer I sent to a large list of names (some 8,000) a blank with the request that it be filled in and returned. The blank asked more especially for information in regard to the scientific career and work of those to whom it was addressed. The response has been very gratifying, but as the circular was sent with a one cent stamp, it did not reach immediately some of those absent from home during the summer holidays. I shall be glad if those who have received this blank will fill it in and return it to me. It will be necessary to send a second request by letter postage to those who have not replied; but time and money will be saved if those who see this note will be so kind as to fill in and return the blank in case they have not already done so.

The list of those to whom the blank was sent was compiled with care, and includes the members of the scientific societies of the United States requiring research as a qualification (some fifty), the scientific staffs of the leading institutions of learning (some seventy), the scientific men included in 'Who's Who in America' and others whose names were accessible. There are, however, many connected with smaller institutions and in private life, not members of scientific societies, who have published research work of value, and I shall be glad to have assistance in securing their names and addresses. I shall be under obligations to any readers of this journal who have carried on research in the sciences, but who have not received the blank, if they will send me their names; and I shall be glad to receive the names and addresses of any who have carried on research, but whose names would not be discovered from the lists of societies, larger institutions of learning and existing biographical dictionaries.