George Washington University - Cherry Tree Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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CHARLES EDWARD MUNROE

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TO QUiarUa Eilumrii iHiutrnp This Volume is Dedicated in Earnest and Grateful Appreciation of His Wise Direction Both In and Out of the Class Room

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G. W. U. The 1913 Cherry Tree G. W. U. CHARLES EDWARD MUNROE DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL | +—K H ARLES EDWARD MUNROE, son of Enoch and Emeline (Russell) 1 Monroe, and Professor of Chemistry and Dean of Graduate Studies in George Washington (formerly Columbian) University since 1892, was born at Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, May 24, 1849, After the usual course of studies in the Cam- bridge High School, he entered the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University, where he graduated with the degree of B.S. in 187L At the Scientific School he had as his master the foremost American chemist in his day, Professor Wolcott Gibbs. For about three years after graduation he was assistant in chemistry in Howard College under Professor j. P. Cooke, and from 1874 to 1886 he was Professor of Chemistry in the U 5. Naval Academy. From 1886 to 1892 he was chemist of the Torpedo Station at Newport, R. I., and also took part in the work of the Naval War College- In addition to these principal occupations he has had charge of U, S. Census work on chemical industries, and has done much work on explosives for the United States Gov- ernment, and especially in recent years for the U. S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines. He also served in 1885, 1890 and 1893 on the Annual Assay Com- mission, and in 1 898 was one of the Board of Visitors to the Naval Academy. Professor Munroe has been active in many scientific organizations, and has received signal honors from them. In 1 888 he was a Vice President of the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science, and President in 1 898 of the American Chemical Society. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the Washington Academy, the London Chemical Society, and the Deutsche Chemische Gesselschaft He is now President of the Cosmos Club. By the Sultan of Turkey he was decorated as Commandant of the Order of Medpdje, and he has received honorary degrees from the George Washington University. In 1 883 he married Mary Louise Barker, daughter of the late Professor George j. Barker, and has several children. Professor Munroe is recognized as the foremost American authority on the chem- istry of explosives, a subject upon which he has published many papers and some im- portant bibliographies. He invented a smokeless powder for the use of our Govern- ment, and introduced into chemistry the use of porous cones for purposes of filtration. These cones preceded the Gooch crucible, which, in turn, he improved by substituting a platinum sponge for the usual felt or asbestos. His scientific activities have been many and various. 7