Lewis Morris Rutherfurd was born at "Morrisania" his grandfather's estate in New York ("Bronxland" which is now the Bronx section of NYC) to Robert Walter Rutherfurd (5/1788-1870) and Sabina Elliott Morris (1789-1857) on November 25, 1816.
His paternal grandfather was US Senator John Rutherfurd(9/20/1760-2/23/1840) from NJ 1791-1798. Senator John Rutherfurd was the son of Walter Rutherfurd (1723-1/10/1804) born at "Edgerston" in Roxburghshire Scotland. Walter Rutherfurd arrived in America in 1756 and served the Royal American Regiment. He resigned his commission in the British army, became a citizen of New York, and in 1758 married Catherine Alexander, daughter of James Alexander.
On his maternal side (six generations) was Lewis Morris, chief justice of NJ and NY, and first governor of New Jersey. His great-grandfather, for whom he was named, was the signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd graduated from Williams College, Massachusetts in 1834 at the age of 18 years. He passed the bar and began praticing law in 1837 with William H. Steward (Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln) in Auburn, New York. He practiced law in New York City with Peter Augustus Jay and then with the Hon. Hamilton Fish, New York's ex-governor.
On July 22, 1841 he married the accomplished Margaret Chanler Stuyvesant (niece and adopted daughter of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant and Mr. Rutherfurds aunt, Helena Rutherfurd Stuyvesant) at St Mark's Church, in the Bowery section of New York City. This happy union lasted almost half a century. They had seven children, two which died in infancy. Their 1st son J.Stuyvesant Rutherfurd (1843-7/4/1909) would eventually change his name to Rutherfurd Stuyvesant (inorder to transmit the Stuyvesant fortune under the provisions of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant's Will in 1847). At the age of 29, young Rutherfurd Stuyvesant would become a great developer of the City of New York. Their daughter, Louisa Morris Rutherfurd (1855-1892) died at the age of 37. Thier son Winthrop(1862-1944), comissioned the Tudor Country Manor house on the family's estate on Allamuchy Pond, Allamuchy NJ in 1903-1905. Their daughter Margaret Rutherfurd White(1854-1916) married Henry White a US diplomate. Their son Lewis Morris Rutherfurd Jr.(1859-1901) initiated the family's breding of fox terrior dogs with his brother Winthrop. They owned the famous Rutherfurd Kennels of New Jersey. Helen Rutherfurd b.5/13/1844 d.10/5/1845 and Elizabeth Winthrop Rutherfurd b. 1/21/1847 d. 10/3/1847 both died in infancy.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd and Margaret Stuyvesant Rutherfurd would remained in NYC on the estate of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant until 1880.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd abandoned his study of law in 1849 and dedicated his leisure to science, particularly astronomy. Until his death he was engaged in experiments which turned out with remarkable success and were the marvels of the scientific world. In this line it may be said truthfully that he won an international distinction. He began the publication of scientific articiles in "The American Journal of Science" in January 1863, writing on the spectra of the stars, the moon and planets with diagrams of their lines and a description of his instruments. This was the first published work on the star spectra after the revelations of Bunsen and Kirchhoff and the first attempt to classify the stars according to thier spectra. He performed pioneering work in spectral analysis and experimented with the celestial photography. He invented instruments for his studies, including the micrometer for measuring photographs, a machine for producing improved ruled diffraction gratings, and the first telescope designed specifically for astrophotography. Using his instrumentation, he produced a quality collection of photographs of the Sun, Moon, and planets as well as stars and star clusters. In 1862 he began making spectroscopic studies using his new diffraction grating. He discovered distinct categories of spectral classes of stars.
He served as trustee of Columbia University from 1858 until 1884, and donated his work including instruments and photographs to Columbia University. "Rutherfurd crater on the Moon " is named after him. In 1884, he served as a delegate to the International Meridian Conference. He was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences created in 1863, and an associate of the Royal Astronomical Society. For a man of abundant means, unlike those who endeavor to do good by making liberal financial contributions, Lewis Morris employed his time and money in such a manner that the world benefited largely while he had a great satisfaction as a result of the days and years of steady confinement to what others styled his hobby. In the end the world greatly benefited from his pioneering work.
As early as 1866 his home of science and abode of happy domestic life were being surrendered to the demands and growth of New York City. By 1880, his lab was dismantled and NYC ceased to be his home. He spent his remaining years at the family's rural estate, in northwest New Jersey. He was strongly attached to the estate which his ancestors had given the appropriate name Tranquility. "The most marked mental characteristics of this gifted and beloved man were clearness of comprehension, independence of judgement, and unselfishness of purpose." His health began to fail in 1887. Lewis Morris Rutherfurd died on May 30, 1892 at the age of 76. He is buried in the Rutherfurd family plot, Tranquility Cemetery, New Jersey.
AWARD/HONORS
The Rutherfurd crater on the moon is named for him.
A professorship in Columbia University's astronomy department is named in is honor, as is the astronomical observatory atop Columbia's famed Pupin Hall.
"Memoir of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd" National Academy of Science.
His paternal grandfather was US Senator John Rutherfurd(9/20/1760-2/23/1840) from NJ 1791-1798. Senator John Rutherfurd was the son of Walter Rutherfurd (1723-1/10/1804) born at "Edgerston" in Roxburghshire Scotland. Walter Rutherfurd arrived in America in 1756 and served the Royal American Regiment. He resigned his commission in the British army, became a citizen of New York, and in 1758 married Catherine Alexander, daughter of James Alexander.
On his maternal side (six generations) was Lewis Morris, chief justice of NJ and NY, and first governor of New Jersey. His great-grandfather, for whom he was named, was the signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd graduated from Williams College, Massachusetts in 1834 at the age of 18 years. He passed the bar and began praticing law in 1837 with William H. Steward (Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln) in Auburn, New York. He practiced law in New York City with Peter Augustus Jay and then with the Hon. Hamilton Fish, New York's ex-governor.
On July 22, 1841 he married the accomplished Margaret Chanler Stuyvesant (niece and adopted daughter of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant and Mr. Rutherfurds aunt, Helena Rutherfurd Stuyvesant) at St Mark's Church, in the Bowery section of New York City. This happy union lasted almost half a century. They had seven children, two which died in infancy. Their 1st son J.Stuyvesant Rutherfurd (1843-7/4/1909) would eventually change his name to Rutherfurd Stuyvesant (inorder to transmit the Stuyvesant fortune under the provisions of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant's Will in 1847). At the age of 29, young Rutherfurd Stuyvesant would become a great developer of the City of New York. Their daughter, Louisa Morris Rutherfurd (1855-1892) died at the age of 37. Thier son Winthrop(1862-1944), comissioned the Tudor Country Manor house on the family's estate on Allamuchy Pond, Allamuchy NJ in 1903-1905. Their daughter Margaret Rutherfurd White(1854-1916) married Henry White a US diplomate. Their son Lewis Morris Rutherfurd Jr.(1859-1901) initiated the family's breding of fox terrior dogs with his brother Winthrop. They owned the famous Rutherfurd Kennels of New Jersey. Helen Rutherfurd b.5/13/1844 d.10/5/1845 and Elizabeth Winthrop Rutherfurd b. 1/21/1847 d. 10/3/1847 both died in infancy.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd and Margaret Stuyvesant Rutherfurd would remained in NYC on the estate of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant until 1880.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd abandoned his study of law in 1849 and dedicated his leisure to science, particularly astronomy. Until his death he was engaged in experiments which turned out with remarkable success and were the marvels of the scientific world. In this line it may be said truthfully that he won an international distinction. He began the publication of scientific articiles in "The American Journal of Science" in January 1863, writing on the spectra of the stars, the moon and planets with diagrams of their lines and a description of his instruments. This was the first published work on the star spectra after the revelations of Bunsen and Kirchhoff and the first attempt to classify the stars according to thier spectra. He performed pioneering work in spectral analysis and experimented with the celestial photography. He invented instruments for his studies, including the micrometer for measuring photographs, a machine for producing improved ruled diffraction gratings, and the first telescope designed specifically for astrophotography. Using his instrumentation, he produced a quality collection of photographs of the Sun, Moon, and planets as well as stars and star clusters. In 1862 he began making spectroscopic studies using his new diffraction grating. He discovered distinct categories of spectral classes of stars.
He served as trustee of Columbia University from 1858 until 1884, and donated his work including instruments and photographs to Columbia University. "Rutherfurd crater on the Moon " is named after him. In 1884, he served as a delegate to the International Meridian Conference. He was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences created in 1863, and an associate of the Royal Astronomical Society. For a man of abundant means, unlike those who endeavor to do good by making liberal financial contributions, Lewis Morris employed his time and money in such a manner that the world benefited largely while he had a great satisfaction as a result of the days and years of steady confinement to what others styled his hobby. In the end the world greatly benefited from his pioneering work.
As early as 1866 his home of science and abode of happy domestic life were being surrendered to the demands and growth of New York City. By 1880, his lab was dismantled and NYC ceased to be his home. He spent his remaining years at the family's rural estate, in northwest New Jersey. He was strongly attached to the estate which his ancestors had given the appropriate name Tranquility. "The most marked mental characteristics of this gifted and beloved man were clearness of comprehension, independence of judgement, and unselfishness of purpose." His health began to fail in 1887. Lewis Morris Rutherfurd died on May 30, 1892 at the age of 76. He is buried in the Rutherfurd family plot, Tranquility Cemetery, New Jersey.
AWARD/HONORS
The Rutherfurd crater on the moon is named for him.
A professorship in Columbia University's astronomy department is named in is honor, as is the astronomical observatory atop Columbia's famed Pupin Hall.
"Memoir of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd" National Academy of Science.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd was born at "Morrisania" his grandfather's estate in New York ("Bronxland" which is now the Bronx section of NYC) to Robert Walter Rutherfurd (5/1788-1870) and Sabina Elliott Morris (1789-1857) on November 25, 1816.
His paternal grandfather was US Senator John Rutherfurd(9/20/1760-2/23/1840) from NJ 1791-1798. Senator John Rutherfurd was the son of Walter Rutherfurd (1723-1/10/1804) born at "Edgerston" in Roxburghshire Scotland. Walter Rutherfurd arrived in America in 1756 and served the Royal American Regiment. He resigned his commission in the British army, became a citizen of New York, and in 1758 married Catherine Alexander, daughter of James Alexander.
On his maternal side (six generations) was Lewis Morris, chief justice of NJ and NY, and first governor of New Jersey. His great-grandfather, for whom he was named, was the signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd graduated from Williams College, Massachusetts in 1834 at the age of 18 years. He passed the bar and began praticing law in 1837 with William H. Steward (Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln) in Auburn, New York. He practiced law in New York City with Peter Augustus Jay and then with the Hon. Hamilton Fish, New York's ex-governor.
On July 22, 1841 he married the accomplished Margaret Chanler Stuyvesant (niece and adopted daughter of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant and Mr. Rutherfurds aunt, Helena Rutherfurd Stuyvesant) at St Mark's Church, in the Bowery section of New York City. This happy union lasted almost half a century. They had seven children, two which died in infancy. Their 1st son J.Stuyvesant Rutherfurd (1843-7/4/1909) would eventually change his name to Rutherfurd Stuyvesant (inorder to transmit the Stuyvesant fortune under the provisions of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant's Will in 1847). At the age of 29, young Rutherfurd Stuyvesant would become a great developer of the City of New York. Their daughter, Louisa Morris Rutherfurd (1855-1892) died at the age of 37. Thier son Winthrop(1862-1944), comissioned the Tudor Country Manor house on the family's estate on Allamuchy Pond, Allamuchy NJ in 1903-1905. Their daughter Margaret Rutherfurd White(1854-1916) married Henry White a US diplomate. Their son Lewis Morris Rutherfurd Jr.(1859-1901) initiated the family's breding of fox terrior dogs with his brother Winthrop. They owned the famous Rutherfurd Kennels of New Jersey. Helen Rutherfurd b.5/13/1844 d.10/5/1845 and Elizabeth Winthrop Rutherfurd b. 1/21/1847 d. 10/3/1847 both died in infancy.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd and Margaret Stuyvesant Rutherfurd would remained in NYC on the estate of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant until 1880.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd abandoned his study of law in 1849 and dedicated his leisure to science, particularly astronomy. Until his death he was engaged in experiments which turned out with remarkable success and were the marvels of the scientific world. In this line it may be said truthfully that he won an international distinction. He began the publication of scientific articiles in "The American Journal of Science" in January 1863, writing on the spectra of the stars, the moon and planets with diagrams of their lines and a description of his instruments. This was the first published work on the star spectra after the revelations of Bunsen and Kirchhoff and the first attempt to classify the stars according to thier spectra. He performed pioneering work in spectral analysis and experimented with the celestial photography. He invented instruments for his studies, including the micrometer for measuring photographs, a machine for producing improved ruled diffraction gratings, and the first telescope designed specifically for astrophotography. Using his instrumentation, he produced a quality collection of photographs of the Sun, Moon, and planets as well as stars and star clusters. In 1862 he began making spectroscopic studies using his new diffraction grating. He discovered distinct categories of spectral classes of stars.
He served as trustee of Columbia University from 1858 until 1884, and donated his work including instruments and photographs to Columbia University. "Rutherfurd crater on the Moon " is named after him. In 1884, he served as a delegate to the International Meridian Conference. He was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences created in 1863, and an associate of the Royal Astronomical Society. For a man of abundant means, unlike those who endeavor to do good by making liberal financial contributions, Lewis Morris employed his time and money in such a manner that the world benefited largely while he had a great satisfaction as a result of the days and years of steady confinement to what others styled his hobby. In the end the world greatly benefited from his pioneering work.
As early as 1866 his home of science and abode of happy domestic life were being surrendered to the demands and growth of New York City. By 1880, his lab was dismantled and NYC ceased to be his home. He spent his remaining years at the family's rural estate, in northwest New Jersey. He was strongly attached to the estate which his ancestors had given the appropriate name Tranquility. "The most marked mental characteristics of this gifted and beloved man were clearness of comprehension, independence of judgement, and unselfishness of purpose." His health began to fail in 1887. Lewis Morris Rutherfurd died on May 30, 1892 at the age of 76. He is buried in the Rutherfurd family plot, Tranquility Cemetery, New Jersey.
AWARD/HONORS
The Rutherfurd crater on the moon is named for him.
A professorship in Columbia University's astronomy department is named in is honor, as is the astronomical observatory atop Columbia's famed Pupin Hall.
"Memoir of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd" National Academy of Science.
His paternal grandfather was US Senator John Rutherfurd(9/20/1760-2/23/1840) from NJ 1791-1798. Senator John Rutherfurd was the son of Walter Rutherfurd (1723-1/10/1804) born at "Edgerston" in Roxburghshire Scotland. Walter Rutherfurd arrived in America in 1756 and served the Royal American Regiment. He resigned his commission in the British army, became a citizen of New York, and in 1758 married Catherine Alexander, daughter of James Alexander.
On his maternal side (six generations) was Lewis Morris, chief justice of NJ and NY, and first governor of New Jersey. His great-grandfather, for whom he was named, was the signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd graduated from Williams College, Massachusetts in 1834 at the age of 18 years. He passed the bar and began praticing law in 1837 with William H. Steward (Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln) in Auburn, New York. He practiced law in New York City with Peter Augustus Jay and then with the Hon. Hamilton Fish, New York's ex-governor.
On July 22, 1841 he married the accomplished Margaret Chanler Stuyvesant (niece and adopted daughter of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant and Mr. Rutherfurds aunt, Helena Rutherfurd Stuyvesant) at St Mark's Church, in the Bowery section of New York City. This happy union lasted almost half a century. They had seven children, two which died in infancy. Their 1st son J.Stuyvesant Rutherfurd (1843-7/4/1909) would eventually change his name to Rutherfurd Stuyvesant (inorder to transmit the Stuyvesant fortune under the provisions of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant's Will in 1847). At the age of 29, young Rutherfurd Stuyvesant would become a great developer of the City of New York. Their daughter, Louisa Morris Rutherfurd (1855-1892) died at the age of 37. Thier son Winthrop(1862-1944), comissioned the Tudor Country Manor house on the family's estate on Allamuchy Pond, Allamuchy NJ in 1903-1905. Their daughter Margaret Rutherfurd White(1854-1916) married Henry White a US diplomate. Their son Lewis Morris Rutherfurd Jr.(1859-1901) initiated the family's breding of fox terrior dogs with his brother Winthrop. They owned the famous Rutherfurd Kennels of New Jersey. Helen Rutherfurd b.5/13/1844 d.10/5/1845 and Elizabeth Winthrop Rutherfurd b. 1/21/1847 d. 10/3/1847 both died in infancy.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd and Margaret Stuyvesant Rutherfurd would remained in NYC on the estate of Peter Gerard Stuyvesant until 1880.
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd abandoned his study of law in 1849 and dedicated his leisure to science, particularly astronomy. Until his death he was engaged in experiments which turned out with remarkable success and were the marvels of the scientific world. In this line it may be said truthfully that he won an international distinction. He began the publication of scientific articiles in "The American Journal of Science" in January 1863, writing on the spectra of the stars, the moon and planets with diagrams of their lines and a description of his instruments. This was the first published work on the star spectra after the revelations of Bunsen and Kirchhoff and the first attempt to classify the stars according to thier spectra. He performed pioneering work in spectral analysis and experimented with the celestial photography. He invented instruments for his studies, including the micrometer for measuring photographs, a machine for producing improved ruled diffraction gratings, and the first telescope designed specifically for astrophotography. Using his instrumentation, he produced a quality collection of photographs of the Sun, Moon, and planets as well as stars and star clusters. In 1862 he began making spectroscopic studies using his new diffraction grating. He discovered distinct categories of spectral classes of stars.
He served as trustee of Columbia University from 1858 until 1884, and donated his work including instruments and photographs to Columbia University. "Rutherfurd crater on the Moon " is named after him. In 1884, he served as a delegate to the International Meridian Conference. He was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences created in 1863, and an associate of the Royal Astronomical Society. For a man of abundant means, unlike those who endeavor to do good by making liberal financial contributions, Lewis Morris employed his time and money in such a manner that the world benefited largely while he had a great satisfaction as a result of the days and years of steady confinement to what others styled his hobby. In the end the world greatly benefited from his pioneering work.
As early as 1866 his home of science and abode of happy domestic life were being surrendered to the demands and growth of New York City. By 1880, his lab was dismantled and NYC ceased to be his home. He spent his remaining years at the family's rural estate, in northwest New Jersey. He was strongly attached to the estate which his ancestors had given the appropriate name Tranquility. "The most marked mental characteristics of this gifted and beloved man were clearness of comprehension, independence of judgement, and unselfishness of purpose." His health began to fail in 1887. Lewis Morris Rutherfurd died on May 30, 1892 at the age of 76. He is buried in the Rutherfurd family plot, Tranquility Cemetery, New Jersey.
AWARD/HONORS
The Rutherfurd crater on the moon is named for him.
A professorship in Columbia University's astronomy department is named in is honor, as is the astronomical observatory atop Columbia's famed Pupin Hall.
"Memoir of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd" National Academy of Science.
Gravesite Details
Rutherfurd Family Plot
Family Members
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