FREDERICK SLOCUM, 1873-1944

Abstract

When Frederick Slocum died two months before his seventysecond birthday, his hair had not yet begun to turn gray. It is fitting that this should have been so for he was still strong in mind and, but for his illness, in physique. Although he had reached the appointed age of retirement in 1941, he began the fall term of 1944 in his customary place behind the classroom desk. At the last, knowing that his life was to be measured in weeks, but still looking forward, he commented with satisfaction on the number of students enrolled for the current term, in courses in astronomy other than the required navigation course. Professor Slocum was gifted as an investigator and as an administrator, but outstandingly gifted as a teacher. The subject matter of his discourses was not strikingly original nor was his presentation ''popular in the journalistic sense; he did not indulge in the tricks of the orator. His power lay rather in the clear, direct, and orderly fashion in which he himself saw the facts and relations of his subject, and in his ability to communicate this view to others. He constantly used concrete examples and simple numerical applications, diagrams, and lantern slides. He spoke quietly but distinctly, with apt and unforced touches of humor, pointing his exposition with anecdotes, usually from his own experience, that were equally interesting as tales, and effective as illustrations. He set facts and theories in their proper framework of historical development, and continually referred to contemporary applications ; a lecture frequently began with a clipping from the day's paper. As a speaker before general audiences he was likewise very successful and in continual demand. In administrative work, Dr. Slocum's sense of fitness and level-headed appraisal of situations were of the greatest value. He was never a dean or acting president of Brown or Wesleyan, but held a succession of committee posts, chairmanships, chapter and community offices. He served as vice-president and chairman of Section D (Astronomy) of the American Association for