Carl Axel Robert Lundin

Background

Carl Axel Robert Lundin was born on January 13, 1851, at Venersborg, Sweden, third of the eleven children of Carl Fredrik and Ulrika Henrietta (Anderson) Lundin. During his childhood the family moved to Falun.

Education

Lundin was educated at the high school at Falun. He early showed an interest in things mechanical and in drawing, and after his course at Falun he served an apprenticeship of seven years at Stockholm as an instrument maker. In 1905 he received from Amherst College the honorary degree of Master of Arts as "scientific expert in cutting and fashioning glasses of great telescopes. "

Career

Lundin got his first job at Christiania, where he was employed by the instrument maker Olsen, his work being principally on chronometers. He came to New York, United States in August 1873. He went immediately to Boston and soon found employment in nearby Newton as a skilled mechanic in work on fire-alarm apparatus. In a short time his unusual skill was brought to the attention of the firm of Alvan Clark & Sons, Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, makers of telescopes and in November 1874 he became their chief instrument maker. With them and their successors he saw continuous service until his death forty-one years later.

His ability and good judgment, combined with extreme patience and modesty, immediately won for him the closest confidential relations with each member of the firm. Finding himself now established in congenial surroundings, he began his residence at Cambridge. From his earliest associations with the firm he was interested in its optical work and since he showed himself unusually gifted, Alvan Clark personally instructed him--and him alone--in the methods by which this talented family had attained success in making their famous telescope lenses. Though continuing his contact with the mechanical work, he was soon devoting so much of his attention to optical matters that, shortly, skill superior to his in this line was not to be found. With time his responsibilities increased until the failing health of Alvan G. Clark, the last surviving member of the original firm, brought to him complete responsibility for all undertakings bearing the name of Clark.

He did important work on the 30-inch lens for the Pulkovo Observatory in Russia, at that time the largest lens in existence, which was installed by him personally under special decree of the Russian government in 1883. The Clarks followed this lens with two others, each in turn of record-breaking dimensions, the 36-inch lens for the Lick Observatory (1887) and the 40-inch lens for the Yerkes Observatory (1896), in the production of which he took an important part and was specially designated to complete the latter in case Clark should be unable to finish the task. He completed the 24-inch lens for the Lowell Observatory (1895). He made the 16-inch lens for the University of Cincinnati (1904), the 18-inch for Amherst College (1905), and many smaller lenses, mirrors and optical parts. During these experiences he had devised and applied several important optical tests. Definite plans for large lenses were being delayed at the time of his death because optical glass could not then be obtained from Europe.

Achievements

• Carl Lundin was well known for his contributions to the development of the instrumental astronomy. He performed an important work on making lenses for telescopes for Pulkovo Observatory, Lick Observatory, Yerkes Observatory, Lowell Observatory, University of Cincinnati and Amherst College. In 1876 he received a medal from the authorities in charge of the Centennial Exhibition for the excellence of his "flats"; and in 1893, a diploma from the Columbian Exposition for excellence in the optical parts of engineering instruments.

Membership

Lundin was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a charter member of the Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America (later, the American Astronomical Society).

Personality

Lundin was deeply disturbed by extravagance of any kind. With his patience and skill was combined an extreme sensitiveness. Though modest in the expression of opinion, he held firmly to conclusions which had resulted from a rich experience. His solution of a problem was direct and through the application of simple devices.

Connections

Lundin met Hilda Marie Hansen in Christiania, Sweden. She came to America one year before Carl in October 1872, as governess in the family of the Norwegian consul at Boston. They married in April 1875. They had two children, a daughter and a son.

Father:

Carl Fredrik Lundin

Mother:

Ulrika Henrietta (Anderson) Lundin

Spouse:

Hilda Marie Hansen