Kirkwood, Daniel, 1814-1895

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Astronomer and Indiana University professor of mathematics.

From the description of Daniel Kirkwood papers, 1864-1895. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 45063101

Daniel Kirkwood was an astronomer and professor of mathematics at Indiana University almost continuously from 1856 until 1886.

He was born 27 September 1814 in Harford County, Maryland to John and Agnes (Hope) Kirkwood. After attending school in his home county, Kirkwood began his career as a teacher in 1833, at Hopewell, Pennsylvania. In 1834 Kirkwood entered the York County Academy. A short time later, in 1838, he was appointed mathematical instructor.

Kirkwood's first college position was in Delaware College, Newark, Delaware, where he was professor of mathematics 1851-1856. During his last two years at the college he also served as college president. After departing Delaware for financial reasons, he came to Indiana University, where he served for 30 years as professor of mathematics, 1856-1886. Kirkwood died 11 June 1895 in Riverside, California.

Over the course of his career, Kirkwood published well over one hundred articles. Noted articles are his 1849 article for the Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where he first published his formula for the rotation periods of the planets and another article for Proceedings in 1866 where he identified the "Kirkwood Gaps" in the orbits of the minor planets, or asteroids. He accomplished this at a time when only about 50 asteroids had been discovered. For these findings, he is known throughout the world.

In Bloomington, Kirkwood's memory is honored by Kirkwood Avenue (1885), Kirkwood Hall (1895), and Kirkwood Observatory (1900). In 1995, he was added to the Monroe County Hall of Fame.

From the guide to the Daniel Kirkwood papers, 1864-1895, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIf, 1866-1886 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIh, 1892-1896 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Charles Eliot Norton papers Houghton Library
creatorOf Kirkwood, Daniel, 1814-1895. Daniel Kirkwood papers, 1864-1895. Indiana University
creatorOf Kirkwood, Daniel, 1814-1895. [Letter of recommendation for H.B. Burnet written from Bloominton, Ind., May 29, 1885] Indiana University
referencedIn Warner, John, -1873. Letters and papers, 1850-1864 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIg, 1887-1891 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn John Fries Frazer papers, 1834-1871, 1834-1871 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Daniel Kirkwood papers, 1864-1895 Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Philosophical Society. corporateBody
correspondedWith Burnham, S. W. (Sherburne Wesley), 1838-1921 person
associatedWith Frazer, John Fries, 1812-1872 person
correspondedWith Mellette, Arthur Calvin, 1842-1896 person
associatedWith Norton, Charles Eliot, 1827-1908 person
correspondedWith Nutt, Cyrus, 1814-1875 person
correspondedWith Swain, Joseph, 1857-1927 person
associatedWith Warner, John, d. 1873 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Indiana--Bloomington
Subject
Asteroids
Astronomers
Astronomers
Mathematicians
Mathematicians
Mathematics teachers
Mathematics teachers
Meteors
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1814-09-27

Death 1895-06-11

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