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George Stokes
Times obituary
It is with much regret that we announce that Sir George Gabriel Stokes, Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, formally President of the Royal Society, and sometime member of Parliament for the University, died yesterday at his residence, Lamafield, Cambridge. By his death, the country has lost its most eminent living mathematician and one of its most distinguished men of science, the Royal Society, one who, in various offices, including the presidency, devoted himself to its interests, and Cambridge University, one of its chief glories.
George Gabriel Stokes was born at Skreen, County Sligo, on August 13, 1819. His parents were the Rev. Gabriel Stokes, rector of Skreen, and Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Haughton, rector of Kilren. He was educated at Dr. Wall's School, Dublin, and at Bristol College Subsequently he proceeded to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated as Senior Wrangler in 1841 (Dr. Cayley, his rival in mathematical eminence, was senior wrangler in 1843), and was elected to a Fellowship, which he vacated on his marriage in 1857, but to which he was re-elected under the now statute in 1869. He was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in the University in 1849, and was elected a member of the Royal Society in 1851. In the following year he was awarded the Rumford Medal in recognition of investigations regarding the refrangibility of light (Philosophical Transactions, 1852). He was appointed one of the secretaries of the society in 1854, and, after numerous contributions to the movements of tint and other learned bodies, he became President of the Royal Society in 1885, a post which he held until 1890. In 1889 he was created a baronet in reward for his services to science, which were freely recognized abroad as well as at home, and brought him, among many other distinctions, the Prussian Order Pour le Mérite. He received honorary degrees from his university, from Oxford, Edinburgh, Dublin, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Sir George presided at the Exeter meeting of the British Association in 1889, and in the following year he was appointed to serve on the Cambridge University Commission.
Besides regular professorial lectures.at at Cambridge, which were highly valued by all who had the advantage of attending them, Sir George Stokes was a prominent contributor to the Cambridge Philosophical Transactions, to the Transactions of the Royal Society, and to various scientific journals. But he published no books, except one or two reprints of lectures.
The celebration of the jubilee of Professor Stokes, the crowning honour of a distinguished career in which honours had never been stinted took place three-and-half years ago. Other professors of the University had held their professorships for more than 50 years, but this was the first occasion upon which the University had officially celebrated the occasion. With no disparity of the claims of others to a similar celebration, it was felt that no professor had attained such widespread reparation as Sir George Stokes, and the collaboration was agreed by a unanimous vote of the Senate. Like his famous predecessor, Sir Isaac Newton, Sir George Stokes had been one of the University's representatives in Parliament, and he had devoted the whole of a long life to the prosecution of study and research within the University. There were, indeed, some remarkable points of comparison in the careers of Sir George Stokes and Sir Isaac Newton. Both at the time of their election to the professorship were comparatively young men, both represented the University in Parliament, and both filled the office of President of the Royal Society The proceedings in celebration of the jubilee extended over two days, June 1 and 2, 1899, and included the Rede lecture, delivered by Professor Corum, member of the French Institute, a conversatione, and a presentation to the University and to Pembroke College of Sir George Stokes on the first day; while the programme of the second day included a reception of the guests of the University and a presentation of addresses, the presentation of an address from the University and a commemorative gold medal to Sir George Stokes, the conferring of honorary degrees, a garden party at Pembroke College, and a dinner in the hall of Trinity College. These events were all arranged to do honour to a great son of the University; but perhaps the highest tribute to Sir George Stokes's merits and their wide-spread ennoblement was to be found in the distinguished company of guests who had assembled to present the addresses of universities, academies, colleges, and learned societies in every quarter of the globe. To attempt to recite the names of the delegates thus assembled would be to commemorate those who in the British Empire, on the Continent, and in America have made themselves famous in the world of letters, science, and mathematics. In addition to the medal presented by the University, Sir George Stokes also received, at the hands of Professor Corum, a medal granted to him by the French Institute, an unexpected honour which he deeply appreciated.
Only in August last, on the death of Dr. Searle, Sir George Stokes agreed to be put in nomination for the Mastership of Pembroke. He had long been the most distinguished member of the college, he was its senior Fellow, and there is little doubt that he might, if he had wished, have been elected when Dr. Power died in 1880. But the recent vacancy came when the college had lost several of its most promising tutors, and Sir George agreed to accept the office. He urged that at the time of his life -- 83 -- he should not be put to the strain of changing his residence, and it was found that Pembroke's statutes contained a clause permitting the Master to reside elsewhere. He also continued to reside with his daughter and son-in-law, and the college had recently allowed the lodge to be used in part for University purposes
No account of his life would be complete without a reference to its religious side. To many, he was one of the prominent instances of the possibility of combining scientific research with the maintenance of Christian convictions. As president of the Victoria Institute, in whatever proceedings he took the keenest interest, he was often present at the discussion of questions in which science and faith might seem to clash, and he maintained a conservative position to the last. Thus, in Cambridge, the great religions co-founders could always count on his advocacy of their eminences; his Churchmanship being also moderate and conservative.
Sir George Stokes was married in 1857 to Mary, daughter of the Rev. T. R. Robinson, D.D., Director of Armagh Observatory. Lady Stokes died in 1899. From 1887 to 1892, he was one of the members of Parliament for Cambridge University. In spite of this, perhaps because of his great and profound knowledge and remarkable ability, he rarely spoke in the House of Commons, but was always listened with attention. In private life, his simplicity and modesty were as conspicuous as his great attainments.
The funeral will take place in Cambridge on Thursday, March 5, at 11:30 p.m. Further details as to the arrangements for the funeral will be announced tomorrow.
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FUNERAL OF SIR GEORGE STOKES.
There was a remarkable gathering at Cambridge yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the funeral of the late Sir George Gabriel Stokes, Master of Pembroke College and Lucasian Professor of Mathematics; the University church was filled in every part. The body had been taken from Lensfield to the college chapel overnight, and at half-past two yesterday it was carried around the court. In accordance with an ancient custom reserved for Masters, the hymns "On the Resurrection Morning" and "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" were sung. The procession was formed by the choir and officiating crew, the Fellows of the college, former Fellows, Masters of Arts, Bachelors of Arts, and undergraduates. At the great gate, the relatives in carriages took their place in the procession. They were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur B. Stokes, Dr and Mrs. Laurence Humphry, Captain and Mrs. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Sedgwick, the Rav. Gabriel Stokes, the Rov. William Fenwick Stokes, Mr. John Garbott, the Rev. Harry Stokes, Mr. Alick Stokos, Mr. Joha Stokes, Mr. and Mra. J. W. Stokes, Mr. Joseph Stokes, Mr. J. C. G. Stokes, Canon Lewis and Mrs. Edwin Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Houghton, Dr. Arthur Rainbout, diss Darwin, Mr. Hugh Humphry, and Mr. Morris Beauford. The Fellows of the college present were the Rev. E. Heriz Smith, Mr. W. S. Hadley, Mr. L. Whibley, the Rev. J. F. Bethune-Bakor, Mr. A. Hutchinson, Mr. E. H. Minns, the Rev. C. F. Andrews, Mr. J. C. Lawson, Mr. G. Birtwistlo, the Rev. H. C. O. Lanchester, and Mr. H. G. Comber; former Fellows, Dr. Keynes, the Rev. J. C. Rust, and the Rev. T. F. L. Orpen.
The officiating clergy were the Bishop of Exeter (Dr. Ryle), the Rev. Dr. Stokes, vicar of St. Paul's, Cambridge, of which church Sir George Stokes was for many years churchwarden, and the Rev. J. F. Bethune-Baker, dean of Pembroke
In the meantime, another procession was being arranged in the Senate House, comprising the hands of houses, doctors, university officers, professors, and members of the council of the Society, together with the representatives of learned societies. This included the Vice-Chancellor (Dr. Chase), with the Registrar (Mr. J. W. Clark), in front of whom walked the Esquire Bedella; Lord Braybrook, Sir Richard Jebb, M.P., the Masters of Trinity, Claro, Peterhouse, Trinity Hall, St. Catharine's, Jesus Christ's, St. John's, Emmanuel, Downing, and Selwyn; Professors Mason, Sweto, Clark, Allbutt, Macalistor, Bevan, Ward, Hughes, Lewis, Eidgeway, Barnes, Marshall, Newton, Westlake, Mayor, Ewing, Skent, Stanton, Ward, and Raid; the Public Orator (Dr. Sandys), Dr. Routh, Dr Guillemard, Dr. Farmer, Dr. W. G. Lax, Dr. Dr. MacAlister, Dr. Haddon, Dr. James, Dr. Dalton, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Baker, Dr. Langley, Dr. MeTaggart, Rov. Dr. Cunningham, Archdeacon Emery, the Rev. J. O. F. Murray, Rov. H. J. Sharpe, Messrs, Wright, Mollison, Scott, Shipley, Gray, Durnford, Wyatt, and Magmisson. Also the following representatives of learned societies and other bodies: The Royal Society - Lord Kalvin, past president, Mr. A.E. Kem, Dr. W. T. Blanford, Professor J. W. Judd, Professor G. Carey Foster, Professor R. B. Clifton, Sir M. Fostor, M.P., Mr. J. Larmor, Dr. T. E. Thorpe, Mr. R. W. F. Harrison, together with Professors Liveing, Thomson, Dewar, Forsyth, and Sir R. Ball; the president of the Royal Society was absent by medical advice: the Victoria University, Professor Horace Lamb; the Owens College, Professor Osborne Reynolds, Professor Chuster and the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, Professor Osborne Reynolds; the London Mathematical Society, Professor A. E. H. Lovo, Professor W. Burnside, the University of London, Sir A. Rücker, and Sir William Hamsay; the British Association and Royal Institution, Professor Dewar; the University of Oxford, Professors Turner and Clifton Institute of Electrical Engineers, Professor W. G. Adama; the Victoria Institute, Professor Hell and Mr. Martin Rouso; the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Mr. T. D. Atkinson; the National Physical Laboratory, Mr. R. T. Glazebrook; the Solar Physics Committee, Norman Lockyer, Professor E. Darwin; the Chemical Society, Professor Tilden; the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Dr. H. F. Baker, Mr. H. F. Newall, Mr. A. E. Shipley, Mr. B. Skinner, Mr. H. M. Macdonald, Professor Thomson, and Dr. Hobson; the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr. J. H. La Glaisher; the Royal College of Science, Professor Tilden; the Meteorological Council, Admiral Sir W. Wharton; the Christian Evidence Society, Rev. C. Lloyd Engström; the British and Foreign Bible Society, Bev. W. Haswell Norman; the mayor of Cambridge, Mr. P. H. Young), and the exemayor (Mr. Alderman Kett). The Bishop of Wakefield was unable to attend due to absence abroad.
As the processions entered the University Church, Mr. W. L. Kaynes played "I know that my Redeemer liveth" and "O rest in the Lord." The opening sentences were read by the Dean of Pembroke, and this was followed by the hymn "Lead us, Heavenly Father, lend us." After the 90th Psalm had been chanted, the Bishop of Exeter read the Lesson. Then came the hymn, "Peace, perfect peace," and after the Collect another hymn, "Now the bourerstatter motber is o'er." At the close of the service, the Dead March in Saul was played. The final procession was then formed, and the body was conveyed to the Mill-road Cemetery, where the interment took place. Many townsfolk and ladies attended the funeral.
It is with much regret that we announce that Sir George Gabriel Stokes, Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, formally President of the Royal Society, and sometime member of Parliament for the University, died yesterday at his residence, Lamafield, Cambridge. By his death, the country has lost its most eminent living mathematician and one of its most distinguished men of science, the Royal Society, one who, in various offices, including the presidency, devoted himself to its interests, and Cambridge University, one of its chief glories.
George Gabriel Stokes was born at Skreen, County Sligo, on August 13, 1819. His parents were the Rev. Gabriel Stokes, rector of Skreen, and Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Haughton, rector of Kilren. He was educated at Dr. Wall's School, Dublin, and at Bristol College Subsequently he proceeded to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated as Senior Wrangler in 1841 (Dr. Cayley, his rival in mathematical eminence, was senior wrangler in 1843), and was elected to a Fellowship, which he vacated on his marriage in 1857, but to which he was re-elected under the now statute in 1869. He was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in the University in 1849, and was elected a member of the Royal Society in 1851. In the following year he was awarded the Rumford Medal in recognition of investigations regarding the refrangibility of light (Philosophical Transactions, 1852). He was appointed one of the secretaries of the society in 1854, and, after numerous contributions to the movements of tint and other learned bodies, he became President of the Royal Society in 1885, a post which he held until 1890. In 1889 he was created a baronet in reward for his services to science, which were freely recognized abroad as well as at home, and brought him, among many other distinctions, the Prussian Order Pour le Mérite. He received honorary degrees from his university, from Oxford, Edinburgh, Dublin, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Sir George presided at the Exeter meeting of the British Association in 1889, and in the following year he was appointed to serve on the Cambridge University Commission.
Besides regular professorial lectures.at at Cambridge, which were highly valued by all who had the advantage of attending them, Sir George Stokes was a prominent contributor to the Cambridge Philosophical Transactions, to the Transactions of the Royal Society, and to various scientific journals. But he published no books, except one or two reprints of lectures.
The celebration of the jubilee of Professor Stokes, the crowning honour of a distinguished career in which honours had never been stinted took place three-and-half years ago. Other professors of the University had held their professorships for more than 50 years, but this was the first occasion upon which the University had officially celebrated the occasion. With no disparity of the claims of others to a similar celebration, it was felt that no professor had attained such widespread reparation as Sir George Stokes, and the collaboration was agreed by a unanimous vote of the Senate. Like his famous predecessor, Sir Isaac Newton, Sir George Stokes had been one of the University's representatives in Parliament, and he had devoted the whole of a long life to the prosecution of study and research within the University. There were, indeed, some remarkable points of comparison in the careers of Sir George Stokes and Sir Isaac Newton. Both at the time of their election to the professorship were comparatively young men, both represented the University in Parliament, and both filled the office of President of the Royal Society The proceedings in celebration of the jubilee extended over two days, June 1 and 2, 1899, and included the Rede lecture, delivered by Professor Corum, member of the French Institute, a conversatione, and a presentation to the University and to Pembroke College of Sir George Stokes on the first day; while the programme of the second day included a reception of the guests of the University and a presentation of addresses, the presentation of an address from the University and a commemorative gold medal to Sir George Stokes, the conferring of honorary degrees, a garden party at Pembroke College, and a dinner in the hall of Trinity College. These events were all arranged to do honour to a great son of the University; but perhaps the highest tribute to Sir George Stokes's merits and their wide-spread ennoblement was to be found in the distinguished company of guests who had assembled to present the addresses of universities, academies, colleges, and learned societies in every quarter of the globe. To attempt to recite the names of the delegates thus assembled would be to commemorate those who in the British Empire, on the Continent, and in America have made themselves famous in the world of letters, science, and mathematics. In addition to the medal presented by the University, Sir George Stokes also received, at the hands of Professor Corum, a medal granted to him by the French Institute, an unexpected honour which he deeply appreciated.
Only in August last, on the death of Dr. Searle, Sir George Stokes agreed to be put in nomination for the Mastership of Pembroke. He had long been the most distinguished member of the college, he was its senior Fellow, and there is little doubt that he might, if he had wished, have been elected when Dr. Power died in 1880. But the recent vacancy came when the college had lost several of its most promising tutors, and Sir George agreed to accept the office. He urged that at the time of his life -- 83 -- he should not be put to the strain of changing his residence, and it was found that Pembroke's statutes contained a clause permitting the Master to reside elsewhere. He also continued to reside with his daughter and son-in-law, and the college had recently allowed the lodge to be used in part for University purposes
No account of his life would be complete without a reference to its religious side. To many, he was one of the prominent instances of the possibility of combining scientific research with the maintenance of Christian convictions. As president of the Victoria Institute, in whatever proceedings he took the keenest interest, he was often present at the discussion of questions in which science and faith might seem to clash, and he maintained a conservative position to the last. Thus, in Cambridge, the great religions co-founders could always count on his advocacy of their eminences; his Churchmanship being also moderate and conservative.
Sir George Stokes was married in 1857 to Mary, daughter of the Rev. T. R. Robinson, D.D., Director of Armagh Observatory. Lady Stokes died in 1899. From 1887 to 1892, he was one of the members of Parliament for Cambridge University. In spite of this, perhaps because of his great and profound knowledge and remarkable ability, he rarely spoke in the House of Commons, but was always listened with attention. In private life, his simplicity and modesty were as conspicuous as his great attainments.
The funeral will take place in Cambridge on Thursday, March 5, at 11:30 p.m. Further details as to the arrangements for the funeral will be announced tomorrow.
________________________________________________
FUNERAL OF SIR GEORGE STOKES.
There was a remarkable gathering at Cambridge yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the funeral of the late Sir George Gabriel Stokes, Master of Pembroke College and Lucasian Professor of Mathematics; the University church was filled in every part. The body had been taken from Lensfield to the college chapel overnight, and at half-past two yesterday it was carried around the court. In accordance with an ancient custom reserved for Masters, the hymns "On the Resurrection Morning" and "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" were sung. The procession was formed by the choir and officiating crew, the Fellows of the college, former Fellows, Masters of Arts, Bachelors of Arts, and undergraduates. At the great gate, the relatives in carriages took their place in the procession. They were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur B. Stokes, Dr and Mrs. Laurence Humphry, Captain and Mrs. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Sedgwick, the Rav. Gabriel Stokes, the Rov. William Fenwick Stokes, Mr. John Garbott, the Rev. Harry Stokes, Mr. Alick Stokos, Mr. Joha Stokes, Mr. and Mra. J. W. Stokes, Mr. Joseph Stokes, Mr. J. C. G. Stokes, Canon Lewis and Mrs. Edwin Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Houghton, Dr. Arthur Rainbout, diss Darwin, Mr. Hugh Humphry, and Mr. Morris Beauford. The Fellows of the college present were the Rev. E. Heriz Smith, Mr. W. S. Hadley, Mr. L. Whibley, the Rev. J. F. Bethune-Bakor, Mr. A. Hutchinson, Mr. E. H. Minns, the Rev. C. F. Andrews, Mr. J. C. Lawson, Mr. G. Birtwistlo, the Rev. H. C. O. Lanchester, and Mr. H. G. Comber; former Fellows, Dr. Keynes, the Rev. J. C. Rust, and the Rev. T. F. L. Orpen.
The officiating clergy were the Bishop of Exeter (Dr. Ryle), the Rev. Dr. Stokes, vicar of St. Paul's, Cambridge, of which church Sir George Stokes was for many years churchwarden, and the Rev. J. F. Bethune-Baker, dean of Pembroke
In the meantime, another procession was being arranged in the Senate House, comprising the hands of houses, doctors, university officers, professors, and members of the council of the Society, together with the representatives of learned societies. This included the Vice-Chancellor (Dr. Chase), with the Registrar (Mr. J. W. Clark), in front of whom walked the Esquire Bedella; Lord Braybrook, Sir Richard Jebb, M.P., the Masters of Trinity, Claro, Peterhouse, Trinity Hall, St. Catharine's, Jesus Christ's, St. John's, Emmanuel, Downing, and Selwyn; Professors Mason, Sweto, Clark, Allbutt, Macalistor, Bevan, Ward, Hughes, Lewis, Eidgeway, Barnes, Marshall, Newton, Westlake, Mayor, Ewing, Skent, Stanton, Ward, and Raid; the Public Orator (Dr. Sandys), Dr. Routh, Dr Guillemard, Dr. Farmer, Dr. W. G. Lax, Dr. Dr. MacAlister, Dr. Haddon, Dr. James, Dr. Dalton, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Baker, Dr. Langley, Dr. MeTaggart, Rov. Dr. Cunningham, Archdeacon Emery, the Rev. J. O. F. Murray, Rov. H. J. Sharpe, Messrs, Wright, Mollison, Scott, Shipley, Gray, Durnford, Wyatt, and Magmisson. Also the following representatives of learned societies and other bodies: The Royal Society - Lord Kalvin, past president, Mr. A.E. Kem, Dr. W. T. Blanford, Professor J. W. Judd, Professor G. Carey Foster, Professor R. B. Clifton, Sir M. Fostor, M.P., Mr. J. Larmor, Dr. T. E. Thorpe, Mr. R. W. F. Harrison, together with Professors Liveing, Thomson, Dewar, Forsyth, and Sir R. Ball; the president of the Royal Society was absent by medical advice: the Victoria University, Professor Horace Lamb; the Owens College, Professor Osborne Reynolds, Professor Chuster and the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, Professor Osborne Reynolds; the London Mathematical Society, Professor A. E. H. Lovo, Professor W. Burnside, the University of London, Sir A. Rücker, and Sir William Hamsay; the British Association and Royal Institution, Professor Dewar; the University of Oxford, Professors Turner and Clifton Institute of Electrical Engineers, Professor W. G. Adama; the Victoria Institute, Professor Hell and Mr. Martin Rouso; the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Mr. T. D. Atkinson; the National Physical Laboratory, Mr. R. T. Glazebrook; the Solar Physics Committee, Norman Lockyer, Professor E. Darwin; the Chemical Society, Professor Tilden; the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Dr. H. F. Baker, Mr. H. F. Newall, Mr. A. E. Shipley, Mr. B. Skinner, Mr. H. M. Macdonald, Professor Thomson, and Dr. Hobson; the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr. J. H. La Glaisher; the Royal College of Science, Professor Tilden; the Meteorological Council, Admiral Sir W. Wharton; the Christian Evidence Society, Rev. C. Lloyd Engström; the British and Foreign Bible Society, Bev. W. Haswell Norman; the mayor of Cambridge, Mr. P. H. Young), and the exemayor (Mr. Alderman Kett). The Bishop of Wakefield was unable to attend due to absence abroad.
As the processions entered the University Church, Mr. W. L. Kaynes played "I know that my Redeemer liveth" and "O rest in the Lord." The opening sentences were read by the Dean of Pembroke, and this was followed by the hymn "Lead us, Heavenly Father, lend us." After the 90th Psalm had been chanted, the Bishop of Exeter read the Lesson. Then came the hymn, "Peace, perfect peace," and after the Collect another hymn, "Now the bourerstatter motber is o'er." At the close of the service, the Dead March in Saul was played. The final procession was then formed, and the body was conveyed to the Mill-road Cemetery, where the interment took place. Many townsfolk and ladies attended the funeral.
