Yale University - Sheffield Scientific School Yearbook (New Haven, CT)

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106 CLASS OF 1891 S., YALE COLLEGE. Cdivided among threej. junior year he took another prize for excellence in mathematics, and at graduation he took a prize for excellence in mechanical engineering. His father, john Henry Starkweather, son of the Rev. John Starkweather QYale 18253, was born June 17, 1832, in Bristol, R. I. He was married May 17, 1857, and resides in New Haven, Conn. He was Superintendent of the New Haven Hospital from 1879 to 1904. His mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Elizabeth Vlfinchester, daughter of Samuel C. Vlfinchester, of Balti- more, Md., was born September 29, 1832, in Baltimore, Md. There are three brothers: Henry QYale 1880 SJ, john QHillhouse High School '78j, Williaiil B. CHilll1ouse High School ,95jg also one sister, Annie VV. CI-Iillhouse High School '86j. Starkweather died March 21, 1901, of heart failure. A better sketch of his life could probably not be given than the following, which is taken from the 1901 April issue of the Yale Scievzt-ific Jldfonthlyi ' In the premature and sudden death of Professor Stark- weather, the Yale faculty has lost one of the most talented and promising of its younger members. He had been sick scarcely a week and was supposed to be convalescing 5 sud- denly he was seized with heart failure, and died Thursday, March 21, 1901. George Pratt Starkweather was born at New Haven, july 12, 1872. He prepared for college at the Hillhouse High School of this city, and entered the Sheffield Scientific School with the Class of 391. He graduated with high honors, presenting as thesis a paper 'On the Modification of Speed by Mechanisinf He began teaching at once in the Scientific School as assistant instructor in mechanical drawing. He was very early advanced to the grade of instructor 3 at the same time the sphere of his activity was greatly broadened, embracing such subjects as the 'Steam Engine' and :Strains in Structures'

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GEORGE PRATT STARKWEATHER Died March 21, IQOI

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BIOGRAPI-I IES. I O7 In 1894 his teaching. took a new course, and from then on he began to instruct the juniors in Calculus and Thermo- dynamics, and Juniors and Seniors in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Meanwhile he was continuing his studies in the Graduate School. In 1894 he obtained the degree of Mechanical Engineer, presenting a thesis iOn the Influence of the Inertia of the Reciprocating Parts of Engines' This was a careful and elaborate study of the analytical and graphical methods for determining the com- plex forces which modify the pressure transmitted from the piston to the crank and fly-wheel of an engine by the heavy reciprocating and swinging parts. Wliile still continuing his studies in technical subjects, which were ever the object of-his meditations, Mr. Stark- weather began the study of the more advanced parts of mathematical physics and pure mathematics. Here his extraordinary talents soon won the highest esteem of the instructors in these branches. His ability to apprehend the details of a lecture and even to anticipate the development, his quickness to detect any incompleteness in the treatment, a point perhaps that the lecturer was reserving for later, was most remarkable. In 1899 Mr. Starkweather received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. I-Iis dissertation will be spoken of later. In May, 1900, he was appointed Assistanft Professor of Applied Mechanics in the department of Mechanical Engi- neering. Such in brief are the main facts in Professor Stark- weather's career. Professor Starkweather's character was that of a modest, warm-hearted gentleman. I-Ie was loved by all his associates and widely respected for his great talents and attainments. The department in which he labored valued his services most highly and was proud of his growing reputation. As a teacher he was suggestive and helpful, as division officer of the Junior Class he performed his arduous duties so conscientiously and impartially as to win the x