Prominent Scientist Died In Washington

PROMINENT SCIENTIST DIED IN WASHINGTON

WAS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Entered U. S. Coast Survey in 1873 and Was in Government Employ Ever Since

MARCUS BAKER, A. M. LL. D.

On Saturday, December 12, 1903, there died in Washington one of the best known of the hundreds of scientists who have been drawn to the nation's capital, Mr. Marcus Baker. A native of this state, Mr. Baker received the degree of A. B. from the University of Michigan with the class of 1870. After serving one year in Albion college as professor of mathematics he was called back to his alma mater to be instructor in mathematics, in which position he rendered most efficient service till March 1873. 

He then entered the U. S. Coast Survey and remained continuously in government employ to the time of his death. His connection with the Coast Survey lasted till 1886. His work and principally to do with Alaskan matters, of which he had very wide knowledge, both at first hand and from reading of the Russian memoirs and reports. In 1993 Mr. W. H. Dall and Mr. Baker published the Coast Pilot of Alaska and recently Mr. Baker published a Dictionary of Alaskan Geographic Names.

In 1886 he was called to the Geological Survey, with which he was destined to remain. For a number of years he was in charge of the Northeastern division of topography, directing the mapping of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, as well as the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania. In 1895 Mr. Baker was made cartographer of the Venezuelan Commission and took prominent part in the arbitration between Great Britain and Venezuela at Paris.

When the Carnegie Institution, with an endowment of $10,000,000, was founded at Washington by Andrew Carnegie, Mr. Baker prepared the articles of incorporation, and was made its assistant secretary.

From the time of his permanent settlement in Washington in 1875, Mr. Baker was deeply interested in its various scientific activities. He was secretary and afterwards president of the Washington Philosophical Society and at one time was member of the governing boards of four of the smaller scientific organizations.

On Tuesday last Mr. Baker attended the annual meeting of the board of trustees of the Carnegie Institution. Preparation for this meeting had involved an unusual amount of labor, so that he returned to his home much wearied. Later he complained of considerable pain, thought to be due to indigestion. Neither his wife nor the physician was at all apprehensive of a fatal result, but on Saturday morning at 6 o'clock he passed away suddenly.

A favorite with his classmates, a favorite with his pupils, a favorite with his colleagues in whatever position, he was best loved by those who knew him best. Hail and farewell!