Obituary

Townsend Wolcott, a former member of the Board of Directors, and for about ten years a member of the Board of Examiners of the Institute died of pneumonia in Brooklyn, N. Y., April 29, 1910. Mr. Wolcott was elected an Associate of the Institute March 6, 1888 and was transferred to the grade of member December 16, 1890. He was elected a Manager for the term 1902–5 and a Vice-president 1905–7. He had been an active factor in Institute affairs throughout his association with it, and his judicial temperament, and strict integrity were thoroughly appreciated by his colleagues. Mr. Wolcott was born in New York City, July 18, 1857, and although his education was confined to the common schools of that era, he was throughout his life an earnest student, and was conspicuous for his thorough familiarity with public affairs, as well as his practical grounding in mechanical and electrical engineering. He had made a specialty of the study of physics and mathematics, which was of great service to him in his professional career. He was associated with several of the pioneer electrical companies from 1879 to 1888 having been a laboratory assistant of Edward Weston with the United States Electric Lighting Company; electrician with the Julien Electric Traction Company, having charge of storage batteries and motors in street car work; the Mutual Electric Company as designer of electrical apparatus; and the new American Electric Arc Light Company, constructing ammeters and voltmeters. That he profited in his training by this varied experience was shown in his papers, articles, and discussions. As early as 1886 he presented papers before the New York Electrical Society “On the Theory of Magneto Electric Induction as applied to the Gramme Ring” and on “What is Electricity,” the latter having been printed in the Electrical World and the Electrician (London). Through his efforts the first self-exciting dynamo built in the United States, by Pr- fessor Charles A. Seeley was presented to the Institute in 1893 accompanied by a descriptive paper by Mr. Wolcott entitled “An Early Dynamo” proving that it was constructed in 1867, in New York City. Mr. Wolcott was a most conscientious man in whatever he undertook. He could be relied upon as doing his duty, and as an officer, or a member of a committee faithfully gave his best thought and closest attention to his Institute work. At the time of his illness and subsequent death he was in the employ of the government as electrical engineer of the United States Signal Corps in New York City. The nature of this work was such that he could not draw upon it for that class of papers in which the electrical engineers of the day are especially interested. At the New York meeting, May 28, 1902 he presented a paper on “Submarine Cable Testing in the Signal Corps, U. S. A.” which was a notable contribution in that comparatively limited but important field of American electrical practice. In discussion and criticism his thoughts were based on logical grounds, and whatever differences of opinion may have existed, none could doubt his sincerity. Those who recall the early struggles in the gradual upbuilding of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers can the more thoroughly grasp the calls of necessity, which brought out the best qualities of so loyal a supporter. It was through this unselfish and enthusiastic assistance that Mr. Wolcott gained the friendship of his co-workers, and to those who formed his acquaintance during this period, the news of his untimely death was especially depressing. To have gained the esteem of all with whom he was associated was in itself a fitting tribute to a life of well-doing.