Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Transit Yearbook (Troy, NY)

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JAMES MCGIFFERT. AMES MCGIFFERT, C. E., B. A., M. A., vvas born.in Stock- port, Columbia County, N. Y., on .Tune 1, 1868. Upon the death of his father in 1871 his mother took up her residence in Hudson, N. Y., with her children and there he resided until he entered the Institute. His early education was gained in the public schools of Hudson but his love for mathematics was absorbed by him from his grand- father, Who resided With him for a greater portion of each Winter, and many knotty problems were labored over during the long Winter evenings. He Was graduated from the Hudson High School in 1884, and vvas in the employ of the city engineer of Hudson during the summer of '84. He continued his studies privately and prepared to enter Williams College in the Sophmore class, but an advertise- ment of the Institute attracted his attention and he decided that the scientihc and mathematical Work done here Would be more to his liking. He therefore entered the Institute in 1887 and was graduated in 1891 with the degree of C. E., being chosen a member of the Sigma Xi. He spent the following year at Iohns Hopkins University, intending to remain there three years to obtain his Ph. D. The position of Assistant in Mathematics Was, however, offered to him in 1892 and he accepted it, the vvork proving so congenial that he did not return to Johns Hopkins. He married Miss Cora Eustis Medberry of Cambridge, Mass., and in 1896 was granted a year's leave of absence Which he spent at Harvard University in post graduate study in mathematics, receiving the degree of B. A. and M. A. Professor McGiffert's fondness for mathematics is only exceeded by the interest which he takes in the students under his charge and it is With pleasure that vve look back on the time spent in the class room undera gentleman at once so thoroughly at home with his subject and one so capable of guiding others through that rather difficult subject-mathematics. f

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HI have eftablifhed a fchool . . . in Renffelaer County . . . for the purpofe of inftructing perfons, Who may choofe to apply themfelves,in the application of Science to the common purpofes oflifef' STEPHEN YTAN RENSSELAER..