On October 17, 1944, Adolf Schmidt, to whom geomagnetism owes many outstanding contributions, an eminent collaborator of this Journal since its first issue, died at Gotha, Germany, after a long and progressing infirmity.Adolf Friedrich Karl Schmidt was born at Breslau on July 23, 1860, as the son of an engineer. He studied, from 1878, mathematics, physics, and English at his home town; with a mathematical thesis, on Cremona transformations, he got his doctor's degree, in 1882. At Breslau Observatory he helped in the magnetic readings for the First International Polar Year, 1882–83; he is therefore one of the few scientists who took an active interest in both Polar Years, since he attended, by special invitation of Dr. la Cour, the meeting of the International Polar Year Commission, for 1932–33, at Copenhagen in May 1933. He was teacher and professor in the Gymnasium Ernestinum at Gotha until 1902, when he was called to direct the Potsdam Magnetic Observatory. He lectured in Berlin University, and the rare title of ordinary honorary professor was conferred on him in 1907. He retired in 1929 and returned to Gotha.