Stephen Alexander (astronomer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stephen Alexander (September 1, 1806-June 25, 1883) was a noted astronomer and educator. He was born in Schenectady, New York.

He graduated from Union College in 1824. He became a tutor in mathematics at Princeton University in 1832, where he would later become professor of astronomy in 1840, professor of mathematics from 1845-1854, and professor of mathematics and astronomy from 1855-1874. He was the head of the expedition to observe the solar eclipse in Labrador in 1860.

He was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences in 1862, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also served as the president of this last organization in 1859.