Death of Professor Magnus

Abstract

On the 4th of April, 1870, at a quarter-past 10 p.m., died peacefully, after a long illness, Dr. Gustav Magnus, Professor of Physics, and Director of the Physical Cabinet in the University of Berlin. He was an experimental philosopher of great and varied excellence, executing his work with the choicest apparatus and with the most conscientious care. His numerous labours are known to all students of physics, and they are such as to secure for him an enduring fame. On the 28th of April, 1851, I first saw Professor Magnus on his own doorstep in Berlin. His aspect won my immediate regard, which was strengthened to affection by our subsequent intercourse. He gave me a working place in his laboratory, and it was there I carried out the investigation on Diamagnetism and Magne-crystallic Action, which is published in the Philosophical Magazine for Sept. 1851. In 1853 I was again in Berlin, and found under his roof the same ready help and sympathy. Professor Hirst and myself paid him a visit last summer; and he afterwards attended the Exeter Meeting of the British Association, where his frank, genial, and gentlemanly demeanour were conspicuous to all. Over and above his direct contributions to Science, Prof. Magnus exercised a powerful in direct influence, through the kindly aid and countenance which he lent to young inquirers. When I bade him good-bye in 1851 his last words to me were, “If youshould meet any really able young fellow, willing to work, and to whom such assistance as I can render would be valuable, send him to me,” There are many such, now no longer young, who, like myself, will mingle a grateful memory of his goodness with their grief for his loss.