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 Abt 1856 - 1900 (~ 44 years)
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| Name |
Thomas Craig |
| Title |
Dr. |
| Born |
Abt 1856 |
Pittston, Pennsylvania  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
8 May 1900 |
Baltimore |
| Buried |
Pittston Cemetery |
| Person ID |
I22424 |
All |
| Last Modified |
11 Nov 2007 |
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| Notes |
Died:
- From undated newspaper article:
A Tribute to the Distinguished Mathematician Who Was Buried Here Yesterday.
In the death of Dr. Thomas Craig, of Baltimore, which we briefly noticed on Wednesday, the scientific world met with a loss of no ordinary magnitude. His specialty was mathematics, in which he attained the highest rank and was, through his published works and as the editor of the Journal of Mathematics, as well known and appreciated by the leading mathematicians of Europe as by those of his native land. His abilities were not confined to mathematics alone. He was, as well, a linguist of more than ordinary attainments; proficient in the German, French, Italian and Spanish languages, besides having a good working knowledge of the more difficult Russian tongue. He made several trips to Europe, visiting the seats of learning and the scientific departments of the various governments and meeting personally the prominent scholars of Europe whose works and names are of world wide fame.
His preliminary training in the schools of Pittston being completed, he entered Lafayette College, passed through the curriculum and graduated. He then became an instructor at Newton, New Jersey. While there a prize contest took place in the City of New York. His alma mater, Lafayette, asked him to compete there as her representative. Professors Newcomb, of Washington, and Michie, of West Point, were among the judges. Lafayette failed to win a prize, its course of study being then more limited than that of the competing colleges, but its young representative bore himself so well that he not only obtained an honorable mention but specially attracted the attention of Professor Newcomb, who engaged him for service with him at Washington. There his abilities soon attracted attention. Capt. Patterson, of the Coast Survey, placed special work in his hands and became his life-long friend. While thus engaged, the John Hopkins University advertised twelve fellowships to be competed for. Acting upon the advice of his Washington friends, he entered the competition and was awarded a fellowship which gave him gratuitous instruction and provided an income. He studied there under Prof. Sylvestor, the foremost mathematician of America, graduated with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and became associate editor of the Journal of Mathematics, still continuing his special work for the Coast Survey. By this time his fame had extended beyond the walls of John Hopkins and Prof. Elliot, of Harvard University, wrote, proffering him an assistant professorship at that institution with ample salary. This becoming known to the authorities of John Hopkins, they offered inducements which prevented his acceptance of the flattering offer. He has since remained at John Hopkins, not, however, without solicitation to go elsewhere. When the Clark University, of Worcester, Mass., was organized he was offered the chair of mathematics, but his attachment to his university and his associates had become so strong that he declined the tempting offer.
Dr. Craig's life and death are a warning in a direction that few men need one. He literally worked himself to death. When deeply interested in an investigation he would work twenty hours at a stretch. Now that he has fallen asleep a sentence from a letter of the eminent Benjamin Pierce may be quoted without seeming unduly laudatory. "You have," said he, "abilities that will make you an honor to yourself, your family and your country, but be most careful of your health." It was this admonition that he neglected. Long continued mental application produced a nervous strain that a frame of iron could not have withstood, ill health followed, the jaded nerves refused the soothing influence of sleep, in an unlooked moment a vital organ ceased to perform its work and a useful life was ended. Now, when by the number of his years he should be in his prime, his body rests beside that of his gentle, loving and well beloved mother, whose first born he was.
While in Washington society, Dr. Craig met the accomplished daughter of General Alvord, then Paymaster General of the United States Army, who became his wife. Their union was blessed by two daughters, the elder of whom accompanied her father on his last visit to the Russian capital.
Dr. Craig's remains, accompanied by the family and by Dr. Cohen, of the Johns Hopkins University, arrived in this city, the home of his early life, yesterday after noon about 4:30 o'clock. Many friends of the family, including representative citizens, met the funeral party at L. & B. Junction, and served as the escort of honor to the burial place in Pittston Cemetery. The casket was covered with beautiful floral tributes, and the grave was surrounded with evergreens and carnations. Rev. J. J. Kilpin Fletcher, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, conducted the service, offering a fervent prayer, reading comforting passages from the Scriptures, and committing the body to the earth. A quartette from the Presbyterian Church sang the beautiful hymn, "Sleep On, Beloved." The following gentlemen served as pall bearers: Alexander Bryder, William L Watson, William Griffith, Charles M. Hileman, Frank E. Shiffer, Oscar C. Foster, Henry Jaggard and John A. Law.
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