Astronomer mathematician physicist professor
William Augustus Rogers was born at Waterford, Connecticut, the only son in a family of three children. His parents, David Potter Rogers and Mary Anna (Rogers) were both descended from James Rogers, who was in New London, Connecticut, as early as 1660. David Rogers was for a time master of a fishing vessel, but later became interested in farming.
His son William prepared for college at De Ruyter and at Alfred Academy, New York, taught school for a short time at New Market, New Jersey, and in 1854 entered Brown University, where he received the degree of M. A. in 1857.
He was at once appointed tutor and instructor in mathematics in Alfred Academy, in 1859 became professor of mathematics at Alfred University, and the following year was made professor of industrial mechanics there. Here he remained for the succeeding decade, with three absences on leave: to pursue advanced mechanics at Yale, to study practical astronomy under Professor Bond at Harvard Observatory, and to serve in the navy for fourteen months toward the close of the Civil War. In 1865, he built and equipped an astronomical observatory at Alfred University, erecting, among other instruments, an up-to-date nine-inch equatorial refractor. In 1870 he accepted an assistantship at Harvard Observatory under Joseph Winlock and was placed in charge of the newly erected eight-inch meridian circle. His chief work was the observation of the catalogued stars between 50 degrees and 55 degrees north declination, as a part of the general scheme of the Astronomische Gesellschaft to secure the most accurate positions of all the brighter stars in the sky. In 1877, when Edward C. Pickering assumed the directorship of the Observatory, Rogers was made assistant professor of astronomy. He held this position, directing the work of a large corps of assistants, until 1886, when he resigned to become professor of physics and astronomy at Colby University. So valuable were his services in the work of the star catalogue that he was prevailed upon to continue its supervision until its completion in 1896. His work with the meridian circle, requiring the greatest precision, led him to seek still greater refinement in apparatus than was then available. He became proficient in the etching of lines on glass for reticles, and in the making of more accurate screws and the determination of their errors. In 1879 he was sent by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to Europe to obtain copies of the imperial yard and of the French meter. During his twelve years at Colby, he organized a physical laboratory which was a model for accurate measurements and the determination of physical constants. His resignation as professor there was accepted by the trustees to take effect April 1, 1898, in order that he might assume the directorship of the new physical laboratory at Alfred University, the erection and the equipment of which he had planned and directed during the previous year, but his death in March 1898 frustrated this plan.
During his final illness, when it was impossible for him to go to the lecture room or laboratory, he met his classes in his home.
His many scientific papers appeared in ten volumes of the Harvard Annals, and in numerous publications of the several academies of which he was a member. His researches on the value of the yard and meter, and changes therein, are among the most important ever made. He was closely associated with Albert A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley in the application of optical methods to the determination of minute changes in length, and he undertook researches in meteorology for the special purpose of learning more about the coefficient of expansion as applied to metal objects and thermometers.
Like his parents and grandparents he was devoutly religious, and belonged to that class of Baptists who strictly observe the sabbath beginning at sunset on Friday.
He maintained an active interest in civic matters, and greatly enjoyed sports.
honorary fellow of the Royal Society of London,
fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society
fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
member of the American Microscopical Society (president 1887),
member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,
member of the National Academy of Sciences
Rogers was a man of genial disposition, unassuming and modest, but courageous in his convictions. His industry and perseverance were illimitable, and he considered no task too great where accuracy was required.
In 1857 he married Rebecca Jane Titsworth of Shiloh, New Hampshire, who assisted him in connection with the reduction and publication of his numerous astronomical observations. Three sons were born to them.
