Charles Winthrop Crockett. Papers, 1881-1905, 1930.

Biographical Note

Charles Winthrop Crockett was born at Macon, Georgia, October 6, 1862. His early preparation for a college course was made in private schools, Mercer Preparatory School and Macon High School. Having been awarded a scholarship in Mercer University on account of class standing in Mercer High School, he was admitted to the Freshman Class at the University in October, 1875, although under the required age. He was graduated from the University in 1879 with the degree of A. B., delivering the Latin salutary of commencement, having been awarded the second honor. He was the youngest graduate of the University at that time.

After years devoted to other pursuits, he entered the R.P.I. in September, 1880, with Division D, intending to be thoroughly grounded in the courses given at the Institute. Upon his graduation in 1884, he received the degree of C.M., and was appointed Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. He received the degree of A.M. from Mercer University in 1886. In the summers of 1887 and 1888, he attended the Dudley Observatory, Albany, N.Y. He was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the Institute in 1893, a position he held until his retirement in 1934.

Professor Crockett wrote a number of scientific papers "On Explanation of the Mannheim Slide Rule," as well as "Plane and Spherical Trigonometry" and "Logarithmic and Trigonometric Tables."

(Edited from 1989 Transit.)

Scope and Content Note

The Charles Crockett Papers contain a small array of materials regarding Crockett's student years at RPI and his career as a professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. The scrapbook, 1881-1888, includes invitations, clippings and programs of RPI events (an index follows the inventory). The Crockett volume slide rules, large circular slide rules, were printed by W. & L.S. Gurley Co. of Troy, N.Y. A single letter, 1930 regards field astronomy methods.

Inventory

Box     Folder       Description         Date
1         1                 Scrapbook            1881-1888
           2                 Letter received      1930
Oversize Volume  Slide rules (3)       1930