Alexander, Stephen, 1806-1883
Variant namesStephen Alexander was an astronomer, mathematician, author, and educator, under whose influence astronomy first developed as a separate discipline at Princeton University. He graduated with honors from Union College at the age of eighteen.
A cousin and also a brother-in-law of Joseph Henry, he collaborated with Henry in his scientific investigations at Albany Academy and accompanied him to Princeton in 1832, when Henry became professor of natural philosophy. Appointed tutor in mathematics in 1833 and professor of astronomy in 1840, Alexander's association with Princeton continued for fifty years. Alexander gave Princeton's first discrete course in astronomy. The College's first astronomy building, the Halsted Observatory, which stood on University Place from 1869 to 1932, was built through his influence and from his plans; however, a telescope was not installed until after his retirement. Working with only his own small telescope, he carried on a steady program of research, published many papers, and studied comets, including the great comet of 1843, whose sudden appearance excited American interest in astronomy. He also studied the atmospheres of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter, led expeditions for the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the National Academy of Sciences to observe solar eclipses, and in collaboration with Henry, conducted experiments on the relative heat of sunspots. He was president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1859 and was chosen as one of the original fifty members of the National Academy of Sciences in 1862.
From the description of Stephen Alexander Papers 1827-1882 (Peking University Library). WorldCat record id: 61275326
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referencedIn | Lecture Notes Collection, 1772-1990 | Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Princeton University Archives. | |
referencedIn | Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Lecture Notes Collection, 1792-1976. | Princeton University Library | |
referencedIn | American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIe. 1845-1865. | American Philosophical Society | |
referencedIn | John Fries Frazer papers, 1834-1871, 1834-1871 | American Philosophical Society | |
creatorOf | Alexander, Stephen, 1806-1883. Letters, 1862-1863. | Historical Society of Princeton | |
creatorOf | Alexander, Stephen, 1806-1883. Stephen Alexander letter, 1837, Jun. 9, Princeton, to "My dear Sir." | Duke University, Medical Center Library & Archives | |
referencedIn | Princeton Scientific Expeditions Collection, 1834-1995, 1834-1930 | Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Princeton University Archives. | |
referencedIn | Notes of Lectures on Natural Philosophy, 1857-1858 | American Philosophical Society | |
referencedIn | American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IId, 1837-1844 | American Philosophical Society | |
referencedIn | Ihrie, William M. (William Muirhead), d. 1899. Papers, 1854-1861 (inclusive). | Rutgers University | |
creatorOf | Stephen Alexander letter to the editors of the New York Tribune, 1873 | New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division | |
creatorOf | Alexander, Stephen, 1806-1883. Letter, 1858 Mar. 20. | Historical Society of Princeton | |
creatorOf | Alexander, Stephen, 1806-1883. Collection 1827-1882 | Princeton University Library | |
referencedIn | Gibbes, Lewis Reeves, 1810-1894. Papers, 1793-1894 (bulk 1838-1894) | Library of Congress. Manuscript Division | |
referencedIn | LeConte, John L. (John Lawrence), 1825-1883. Papers, 1812-1897 | American Philosophical Society | |
referencedIn | Goodfellow, Edward, 1828-1899. Journal, 1860. | Historical Society of Pennsylvania | |
referencedIn | Autograph File, A, 1518-2002. | Houghton Library |
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Person
Birth 1806-09-01
Death 1883-06-25
Male
Americans
English