DR. G. C. COMSTOCK, EDUCATOR, IS DEAD.
Retired Astronomy Professor at Wisconsin University Succumbs to Operation.
MADISON, Wis., May 11, --- Dr. George Cary Comstock, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin, died in a hospital here today of a heart attack after an operation. He was ill about a week. His age was 79.
Dr. Comstock was for many years director of the Washburn Observatory and published "A Catalogue of 195 Stars for 1880." He became associate director of the observatory in 1887, serving until 1922.
Born in Madison, Dr Comstock attended school in Adrian, Mich., and was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1877 with the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. He later received a Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Wisconsin and became associated with the observatory. At that time he began teaching astronomy.
In 1883 Dr. Comstock became Professor of Mathematics at Ohio State University, but returned to the staff of the University of Wisconsin in 1887 and taught twenty three courses in astronomy.
Dr. Comstock was vice president of the Astronomical and Mathematical Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was recorder and assistant engineer In the United States Army Engineers Corps.
He was dean of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School from 1906 to 1920. One of his writings is "An Elementary Treatise Upon the Method of Least Squares, With Numerical Examples of Its Application." He also wrote many textbooks on astronomy and published many articles in astronomical journals.
He is survived by his widow, a daughter, Mrs. George Carey of Beloit, Wis., and a brother, L. K. Comstock. Dr. Comstock resided in Beloit.