GREAT SCIENTIFIC EDUCATOR

Professor Willson was for many years directly in charge of the courses in Astronomy, and was the first to introduce laboratory methods of instruction in this science. It was chiefly through his zeal and personal efforts that the Astronomical Laboratory, was established in 1903.

Professor Willson, who was born in West Roxbury in 1853, served for one year after graduating from the University as assistant at the Argentine National Observatory in South America. From there he returned to Cambridge, where for six years he was connected with the University Observatory. From 1881-84 he was assistant astronomer at Yale, resigning his position there to carry on studies in Germany. He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Wurzburg in 1886. In 1891 he was appointed Instructor in Astronomy and Physics at the University, and thus resumed his connection with his alma mater, which was not again severed until his death.

Made Professor Emeritus

In June, 1919, Professor Willson retired from active service and was at once made Professor Emeritus. His contributions to science comprise much material and apparatus for instruction in astronomy, and the invention of several instruments for scientific observations, including a special attachment for the sextant for aircraft navigation, brought out during the war. He was the author of books and papers on astronomy and kindred subjects, and had nearly completed an exhaustive study of the early astronomical records of the Maya people of Central America. On the translations of their almanacs and tables he was a recognized authority.

As a teacher in the University, Professor Willson was respected and admired by all who knew him, possessing those happy qualities which make for confidence and friendship between students and instructor. His service to science and to education will be remembered not alone by colleagues but by hundreds of his former students who have looked to him as the one who first guided them to an appreciation of an ordered Universe, and who taught men better than he knew the message of the skies.