SAMUEL PIERPONT LANGLEY
LANGLEY, SAMUEL PIERPONT, Sc.D., LL.D., D.C.L., is an eminent scientist, author, and inventor, who is highly honored and the value of whose work is known and recognized in all civilized lands. In addition to his elaborate studies in the fields of natural science and in utilizing for the public benefit much of the knowledge thus acquired, he has given some attention to the investigation of psychical phenomena. He has shown what well-directed and persistent effort can accomplish; and while one of his leading inventions, from which much is hoped, is still in the experimental stage, the record of his achievements is long and honorable and should give courage and hope to every ambitious youth who has a taste for scientific pursuits.
Mr. Langley was born in Roxbury (now incorporated in Boston), August 22, 1834, the son of Samuel and Mary Sumner (Williams) Langley. His father was a merchant of good standing and of influence in the community, though he never entered public life. Among the earliest ancestors of Mr. Langley in this country were John Winthrop, the famous governor of the Massachusetts colony; and Increase and Cotton Mather who were among the foremost men of their time in the religious, educational, and civil affairs of New England.
His early years were about equally divided between city and country life. His health was good and as no tasks involving the performance of manual labor were imposed upon him he had many opportunities for enjoying the companionship of nature, which he highly prized, and for gratifying a taste for reading and study, especially in astronomy, for which his fondness was strongly marked even in early boyhood. He attended the Boston public schools, the Latin school, and after graduation from the latter, in 1851, he commenced the study of architecture and civil engineering. A few years later he took a post-graduate course at the astronomical observatory of Harvard college.
