Charles Benjamin Dudley

Background

Charles Benjamin Dudley was born on July 14, 1842 at Oxford, Chenango County, New York, United States. He was the son of Daniel and Miranda (Bemis) Dudley.

Education

His youth was given over to rugged labor in field and shop with such educational opportunities as the country school and local academy afforded.

Longing for a college education, he carried text-books into camp and conned them as he could. He entered Yale College in 1867.

He maintained so high a standard of scholarship in college as to win an oration at Commencement and election to the Phi Beta Kappa.

He achieved his Doctor of Philosophy at the Sheffield Scientific School in 1874, majoring in chemistry.

Career

On August 6, 1862, he responded to Lincoln’s call, enlisting in Company A, 114th Regiment, New York Volunteers and serving until he was severely wounded, September 19, 1864, at the battle of Opequon Creek, near Winchester, Virginia, and invalided home.

On November 10, 1875, he was appointed chemist to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and he died in service.

Although railroad officials had occasionally, and casually, had analyses, or tests, made by consulting chemists, Dudley was the first person appointed as chemist to a railroad corporation to give his full time to applying his knowledge to the solution of the problems of such an organization.

His appointment to this position was made at a time when much skepticism prevailed as to the value of the services of a university-trained scientific man in the practical affiairs of life.

Entering on his duties at Altoona with enthusiasm, he soon disclosed a multitude of opportunities for the application of chemistry and physics in increasing the economy, efficiency and safety of railroad maintenance and operations.

He was most active in the service of Altoona and the state of Pennsylvania.

Achievements

• Charles Benjamin Dudley was the first person appointed as chemist to a railroad corporation to give his full time to applying his knowledge to the solution of the problems of such an organization.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The passenger car ventilation system of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

Personality

Dudley was burly in form, rugged of countenance, had a luxuriant growth of somewhat rebellious hair and beard, which early became grizzled. He chose durable garments of a grayish nature. Limping from the effects of his wound, which necessitated the constant use of a cane, he was a most wintrish looking man. But the crinkles about his eyes revealed his well developed sense of humor and his philanthropic disposition, which was confirmed by the kindliness and warmth of his greeting. Accustomed to mingling with all sorts and conditions of men and having diligently made himself master of his subject, he listened sympathetically to the points of view of those with whom he dealt and discussed the problem tactfully but with definiteness and determination.

Connections

Dudley married Mary Virginia Crawford on April 17, 1906.

Father:

Daniel Dudley

Mother:

Miranda (Bemis) Dudley

Wife:

Mary Virginia Crawford