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During this time he gained a world-wide reputation by his valuable contributions to engineering literature and his active work in connection with engineering and other societies. It was while here, also, that he carried out an extensive series of timber tests for the United States Government.

In 1899 he was made Dean of the College of Engineering of the University of Wisconsin. He entered upon his new work with great vigor and enthusiasm, and during his brief administration of about three years achieved great success. In this time the number of students in engineering increased from 240 to over 500, a new engineering building was constructed, the equipment largely increased, and the influence of the college greatly extended. Professor Johnson was a man of wide sympathies and very broad interests. He was a successful engineer, an educator in the largest sense, and an enthusiastic teacher in the class-room. He was also deeply interested in all that contributed to the welfare of society and did more than his share in social and religious affairs. He was a member of many engineering and other societies and in all his activity and helpfulness were almost remarkable. He was largely instrumental in the founding of this Society and of all the organizations with which he was connected this one seemingly held the first place in his heart. The work of his committee on behalf of industrial education was one of the most important results which have followed from the organization of the Society.

Professor Johnson was one of the most successful of writers of engineering text-books and his well-known works have made his name famous throughout the engineering world.

His most prominent personal traits were, perhaps, his activity and enthusiasm in his own work, and his encouraging sympathy in the work of others; and no one will feel his loss more keenly than his own students and the younger generation of engineers, to whom he was an inspiration and guide.

RODNEY G. KIMBALL,

Died April 25, 1800.*

Rodney G. Kimball, A.M., Ph.D., Professor of Applied Mathematics and Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, N. Y., died on Wednesday, April 25, 1900.

During the last year of his life he was in feeble health, but somewhat strengthened by his summer's rest he returned to the Polytechnic at the opening of the college year, much to the gratification of his students with whom he was a favorite. It soon became evident that his strength was failing. Nevertheless he conscientiously strove to discharge his class-room duties; and even continued to direct his students in their work after his failing health forced him to be absent.

In the death of Professor Kimball we lose one of the most kind-hearted of men and the best of instructors. Unselfish and sympathetic in nature, yet with a high sense of duty, fearless, conscientious and just in all his dealings, he won the implicit trust of all who knew him.

Professor Kimball was born in New York City in 1835; he graduated from New York college with a degree of A.B. in 1854, subsequently the degree of A.M. was conferred upon him, and later Hamilton College honored him with a degree of Ph.D.

He became assistant to the Professor of Mathematics in the State Normal School at Albany in 1855, after a year's practical experience in railroad engineering since graduating from college. He became professor in the same institution in 1859. In 1869 he was offered charge of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute, which position he so satisfactorily filled up to the time of his death. During these thirty-one years of service he had charge of the greater part of the work in civil engineering, astronomy and steam engineering.

In answer to the call for "more men" which came after our army was defeated in the seven days' battle before Richmond in 1862, Professor Kimball, together with his assistant, Albert N. Husted, organized a company at the State Normal School, resigned their positions and joined our army in the field. The record of the services of this company, of which Professor Kimball was appointed Captain, in the 44th Regiment of New York, * Memoir prepared by Arthur L. Williston.

is one which professional teachers may point to with pride. In the battle of Fredericksburg Professor Kimball was subjected to exposure which brought on serious illness and undoubtedly planted the seeds of disease which finally terminated his life in the maturity of his power and usefulness.

Professor Kimball was associated with the late Professor Davies, of Columbia University, in editing "Davies' Surveying," a book primarily issued for the use of the West Point cadets, but now in wide-spread use. He always took a deep interest in the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education; and though he was not always able to attend its meetings, he was thoroughly familiar with all its transactions and delighted to see it prosper.

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