In Watertown, within Mt. Auburn Cemetery, is this tall marker for Abbott Lawrence Rotch, who founded the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory and promoted atmospheric science and aviation.
Mt. Auburn Cemetery is located along Mt. Auburn Street, near where Belmont Street intersects. The best thing to do is to stop at the Visitor Center and obtain a map ($1), first.
The grave is nearest Mound Ave, about midway between Spruce Ave. and Walnut Ave., and along Bellwort Path. The monument itself is among headstones for the the Lawrence and Rotch families.
The monument is a tall, ornate stone cross. The stone sculpture appears to be 'woven,' with several weave and braid patterns used. At the top is s small cross with a ring. At the base, facing the path, is the following (kind of hard to read):
"Abbott Lawrence
1861 - Rotch - 1912"
At about head height are several quotes:
Front:
"Come from the four winds of breath and breath upon this dead that they may live."
Side:
"All ye works of the Lord Bless ye
The Lord praise him and magnify him forever."
Side:
"O, Ye heavens bless ye the Lord
O ye mourners and [higgs] bless ye the Lord."
"ye showers and dew less ye the Lord
O ye lightnings and glows Bless ye the Lord."
From an early age, Abbott Lawrence Rotch was interested in the atmosphere. He kept a weather journal in 1878. By the time he graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1884, he executed his plans to build a meteorological observatory on Great Blue Hill, a 635 ft 'bump' in the landscape south of Boston, but with a panoramic view as far as Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, 67 miles away. There, he hired others and made daily observations of the weather and measurements of the atmosphere using kites to hoist the instruments. First, a diamond-shaped "Eddy" or "Malay" kite was employed. Later, a rigid box kite was used. Then, finally, another "Hargrave" box kite were employed. This early observation provided insights on the height of clouds, and the relation between the layers of the atmosphere and temperature, pressure, and winds. This began worldwide measurements of the atmosphere using methods and modified instruments developed here. Also, Rotch and crew conducted balloon soundings from the World Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904.
Rotch was known to scientists all over the world and had made trips to meet many of the known scientists there, including Leon Teisserenc de Bort, who discovered the stratosphere. He received from France the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. He attended all the meetings of the International Meteorological Committee, which met in Europe, and was often the only American representative.
He wrote two books and many scientific articles. The book, The Conquest of Air, was first printed in 1900 and went through three printings in one year. He also wrote Sounding of the Ocean of Air.
He also promoted aviation. He helped plan and promote the Boston-Harvard Air Show in 1910, which was one of the first air meets in the country.
He died at an early age in 1912 of an undiagnosed ruptured appendix.
The observatory was associated with Harvard University when he bequeathed money to Harvard when he died. That association has since ended. However, Harvard has in its instrument collection many of the instruments and kites used at the observatory.
The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory and Science Center continues the legacy of Rotch, today. It does continue to conduct research, but it is particular activity is to maintain the daily weather record, which is the longest continuously kept record in the U.S. at one location. It is considered a climatology station, as well.
The observatory is open on most weekends from 10a to 4p.
Sources:
The Harvard Crimson (Flying High with the Harvard Flying Club):
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visit link)
Wikipedia (Abbott Lawrence Rotch):
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visit link)
National Park Service (Blue Hill Observatory):
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visit link)
6/13/2017 - Material added to and extensively edited.