20 Facts About Ormond Stone

Ormond Stone, was an American astronomer, mathematician and educator.

Ormond Stone was the director of Cincinnati Observatory and subsequently the first director of the McCormick Observatory at the University of Virginia, where he trained a significant number of scientists.

Ormond Stone served as the editor of the Annals of Mathematics and towards the end of his life made donations which led to the founding of the Fairfax Public Library System.

Ormond Stone became his pupil, quickly beginning his lifelong interest in astronomy.

In 1866, Ormond Stone enrolled at the Old University of Chicago, graduating with a degree of master's degree in 1870.

Ormond Stone was assigned to the Meridian Circle, under William Harkness.

In 1875, Ormond Stone accepted the directorship of the Cincinnati Observatory, having received a recommendation from Simon Newcomb.

In 1882, Stone was offered the position of director at the brand new observatory being built at the University of Virginia, and was accompanied from Cincinnati by John Jones and Frank P Leavenworth.

Ormond Stone oversaw the final stages of construction on the observatory, which was completed in 1885, but began astronomical work almost immediately upon his arrival in Charlottesville.

Ormond Stone's work focused largely on observing nebulae, southern variables and double stars.

The list of Vanderbilt Fellows who worked under Ormond Stone was an impressive one, and included astronomers, university presidents, professors and professionals in various fields, including:.

Ormond Stone served on the Board of Visitors for the United States Naval Observatory from 1901 to 1903, served on the first Advisory Committee on Mathematics for the Carnegie Institution of Washington starting in 1902, and was a trustee of Harrisonburg Normal College.

Ormond Stone maintained contacts with people of influence across the country, including his brother Melville E Stone, the founder of the Chicago Daily News, who became well known as the General Manager of Associated Press.

Ormond Stone retired on a stipend from the Carnegie Foundation in 1912 to a 30-acre farm in Centreville, Virginia.

Ormond Stone attended a local, little stone Methodist church on Braddock Road, now known as the Church of the Ascension, Anglican.

Ormond Stone's wife died in 1914, and he later married Mary Florence Brennan of Lansing, Michigan.

Ormond Stone brought Mary back to Centreville, along with her two sisters, Grace and Elizabeth.

Ormond Stone continued to be active in the educational, religious and social problems of his local community and the state.

Ormond Stone served as Vice President of the Virginia State Teachers' Association, and was a leader in the movement to improve Virginia's public school system.

Ormond Stone spent much of his last years gathering and organizing donated books for this small library.