Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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Mathematics at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In 1893 Syracuse University- conferred the degree of Ph.D. upon him. The doctor is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of the American Mathe¬ matical Society. The doctor uses striking explanations, apt illustrations, and is the author of an interesting book, entitled the “Number Concept.” George: H. Haynes, Ph.D.Professor of History and Economics. Dr. Haynes received his collegiate education at Amherst College, graduating in the Class of 1887. He at once joined the teaching forces of the Worcester Poly¬ technic Institute and remained until 1890, when he left to pursue a course of study at Johns Hopkins University, where he received the degree of Ph.D. in 1893. He again returned to Tech and accepted the Professorship of History and Economics, suc¬ ceeding Dr. MacDonald in that position. Dr. Haynes has not confined his activities alone to the Institute, for he has contributed many articles to journals dev oted to American history and politics. He is also much interested in the charities of the city of Worcester. He is an interesting lecturer, both in the classroom and without, and we look back with pleasure to the many delightful discussions in his classes upon the questions of the day. Walter L. Jennings, Ph.D.Professor of Organic Chemistry Dr. Jennings entered Harvard College in the year 1885 and received his A.B. in 1889. He then took up graduate work in the same college, receiving his degree of Ph.D. in 1892. Then followed two years of study in Europe, principally in Berlin- and Heidelberg. Returning to this country, he became Assistant Professor of Chemis¬ try in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In 1901 he became Professor of Organic Chemistry. Dr. Jennings is actively interested in Tech athletics, especially in tennis,, at which he is very proficient. Our course in Metallurgy under him will be remem¬ bered pleasantly as one tinged here and there with humor. Zeeotes Wood Coombs, A.M. .. .Assistant Professor of Modern Languages. Professor Coombs was born in Wrentham, Mass., June 8th, 1865. In 1884 he was. graduated from the Worcester High School as valedictorian of his class. After being graduated from Amherst College in the Class of 1888, he became an instructor at the Brooklyn Tech, and later went to the University of Virginia, where he was both stu¬ dent and instructor. Since 1890 he has been the President’s clerk and was Instructor in Modern Languages until 1894, when he went abroad to study at the University of Berlin. Upon his return he was made Assistant Professor of Modern Languages. Professor Coombs is a believer in clean athletics and for several years he has beem Chairman of the Board of Directors of the W. P. I. A. A. Sidney Armour Reeve, M.E.. .Professor Steam and Hydraulic Engineering. Professor Reeve was graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale in 1885. In 1887 he received his degree of M.E. For the next seven years he was a 15

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3Biograpbtcal Sketch of faculty John E. Sinclair, Ph.D.Professor of Higher Mathematics. Professor Sinclair is a graduate of Dartmouth College, being a member of the Class of ’58. The year following he spent in teaching at Adrian, Mich., and from 1859 to 18O3 was tutor at the Washington University, St. Louis. The next six years he spent as Professor of Mathematics in the Chandler department of Dartmouth Col¬ lege, from which place he came to the Institute in 1868 to occupy a similar position. In 1863 he received the degree of A.M., from Washington University and in 1879 the . same degree from Dartmouth. His Alma Mater further honored him in 1883 by be¬ stowing upon him the degree Ph.D. Professor Sinclair is one of our favorites and we cannot help but remember him for his pleasant manner and extended use of homely illustrations during the time we spent with him in Calc, and Analyt. U. Waldo Cutler, S.B.Professor of Modern Languages. Professor Cutler is an alumnus of the Institute, being a member of the Class of 74. His first teaching was at Brimfield, Mass., in the Hitchcock High School. He next went to Holliston, where he introduced drawing into the public schools. In 1877 he •came to Tech as Assistant Professor of Modern Languages, and is now at the head of that department. He spent from 1878 to 1881 abroad in Germany, where he pur¬ sued a course of study. He also spent a year at Johns Hopkins University. With these exceptions he has been at the Institute ever since. We remember the professor chiefly for his lectures to us in English, although perhaps it would not be wise to say how much of the lectures we remember. Leonard P. Kinnicutt, S.D.Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Kinnicutt graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1875, and continued his studies abroad, spending one year at Heidelberg, one and one-half .years at Bonn, and a period at Johns Hopkins University, in this country. Upon the completion of his studies, in 1880, he was made Instructor in Qualitative Analysis at Harvard, receiving his degree of S.D. two years later. He accepted the Assistant Professorship of Chemistry at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1883, receiving the full professorship in 1885 and holding it up to the present time. Dr. Kinnicutt is a recognized authority on sewage disposal, having made a careful and exhaustive study of the question, both in this country and the leading European cities. Levi L. Conant, Ph.D.Professor of Mathematics. Dr. Conant was born in Littleton, Mass., in 1857, and prepared for college at Andover, graduating from Dartmouth in 1879. Between 1880-83 he held the position of Principal of the High School in Mankato, Minn., leaving to accept a better position in Elkhart, Ind. He later served as Superintendent of Schools in Deadwood, S. D., also of Rapid City, S. D. In 1887 he was made Professor of Mathematics in the Dakota School of Mines, staying there until 1890. He then spent a year in advanced study -of mathematics at Clark University, and in 1891 accepted the Junior Professorship of 14

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member of the engineering corps of the Westinghouse, Church, Kerr Co., of New York. While occupying this position he was engaged in the erection of steam power and ice-making plants. For a time he was on the editorial staff of the Progressive Age, a journal devoted to the gas industry. He has held his present position since 1895. During the past year, Professor Reeve has published a text-book on the “Thermodyna¬ mics of Heat Engines,” which includes a steam-table having several new items of value. Harold B. Smith, M.E.Professor of Electrical Engineering. Professor Smith was born in Barre, Mass., in 1869. In 1886 he graduated from the Barre High School and entered Cornell soon afterward. During his college course he was a prominent member of the B © II Fraternity and was elected to the honorary society of Sigma Xi. Professor Smith was twenty-two years of age when he was graduated from Cornell, and after taking a post-graduate course he became Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering, in charge of the department at Arkansas State University. He stayed only one year at this school, having accepted the positions of head designer and electrical engineer for the Elektron Manufacturing Company, of Springfield, Mass., and the Professorship of Electrical Engineering and the direction of the School of Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. In 1896 he came to W. P. I. and has remained here ever since. Besides being a consulting engineer, he is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineering, British Institution of Electrical Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society for Pro¬ motion of Engineering Education, Fellow of the American Society for Advancement of Science, and other scientific societies both at home and abroad. Clarence A. Chandler, S.B.Superintendent of the Washburn Shops. Mr. Chandler was graduated from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1874. His first position after leaving the institute was with Henry S. Howe, of Boston, where he built up a progressing business as a designing engineer. Later he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Carver Cotton Gin Company, of East Bridgewater, In 1896 he resigned his position in East Bridgewater to become Superintendent of the Washburn shops, which position he has faithfully held since that time. Arthur W. French, C.E.Professor of Civil Engineering. Professor French was graduated from the Thayer School of Civil Engineering, Dartmouth College, in 1892. His first position was with the Tower Brothers, Holyoke, Mass. From Holyoke he went to Denver, Col., where he engineered the construction of the Platte River Paper Company’s plant. He was later made assistant engineer in bridge design for the Denver and Gulf Railroad. He left this position to become Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at his Alma Mater, where he remained until 1899, when he came to Tech. His practical experience, along with his college educa¬ tion, makes him well fitted for the position which he occupies. 16