Hiram Perkins
Who was Hiram Perkins?
American astronomer
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Hiram Perkins (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Hiram Mills Perkins (1833–1924) was an American astronomer, mathematician, and philanthropist who spent much of his life at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. During his academic career, he worked as a Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the university from 1873 to 1907, over 30 years, becoming one of its most important figures. His contributions went beyond teaching as he invested considerable personal resources into advancing astronomical research and education at the university.
Perkins is best known as the main supporter of the Perkins Observatory and its main instrument, the Perkins Telescope. The telescope achieved its first light in 1931, years after Perkins retired, but his endowment and support were crucial for the project's success. He also played a role in building the observatory structures, helping to create what became a key astronomical facility at a U.S. university. When it became operational, the Perkins Telescope was the third largest in the world.
In 1880, Perkins built a house at 235 W. William Street in Delaware, Ohio, which became a notable local landmark. After his death, the house was turned into a dormitory by Ohio Wesleyan University and housed students for decades before being sold in 2017 for $170,000 to a developer planning to turn it into a hotel. The building's long life and various uses show Perkins's lasting impact on the university community.
The Perkins Telescope had an eventful history after its installation. It was eventually moved to Lowell Observatory in Arizona, where its original 69-inch mirror was replaced with a 72-inch mirror, and the original mirror went to a museum. The link between the Perkins Observatory and Lowell Observatory lasted, and the telescope continued to aid researchers long after its installation at Ohio Wesleyan. Perkins’s endowment ensured his legacy as a man whose generosity boosted the university's scientific capabilities for generations.
Perkins lived to be ninety, a lifespan during which he saw major changes in American science and society. His long life allowed him to see astronomy shift from a mostly observational field with simple tools to one using large, advanced instruments that could explore the universe deeply. His blend of academic service, financial generosity, and dedication to building enduring scientific infrastructure made him a key figure in American astronomy history and at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Before Fame
Hiram Mills Perkins was born in 1833, a time when American colleges and universities were growing quickly, and scientific subjects were starting to be taken seriously. In the mid-1800s, both professionals and the educated public showed more interest in astronomy, thanks to better telescope technology and the rising status of math sciences.
Perkins went to Ohio Wesleyan University for his education, which was the same school where he'd later spend his career. His studies in mathematics and astronomy set him up for a professorship in 1873. By then, he had the academic background and strong loyalty to the institution that would mark the rest of his life. His rise to prominence came from his unwavering commitment to one school and his long-term vision for its achievements in the sciences.
Key Achievements
- Served as Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at Ohio Wesleyan University for 34 years, from 1873 to 1907
- Provided the endowment and philanthropic support that made the Perkins Observatory and Perkins Telescope possible
- Helped construct the observatory buildings at Ohio Wesleyan University
- Funded a telescope that was the third largest in the world at the time of its first light in 1931
- Had an asteroid, 10029 Hiramperkins, named in his honor following its discovery at Lowell Observatory in 1981
Did You Know?
- 01.The Perkins Telescope was the third largest telescope in the world when it first saw light in 1931, despite being funded largely through the bequest of a university professor.
- 02.Perkins's house at 235 W. William Street in Delaware, Ohio, was sold in 2017 for $170,000 to a developer planning to convert it into a hotel, more than 137 years after it was built.
- 03.The asteroid 10029 Hiramperkins, discovered in 1981 by Edward Bowell at the Anderson Mesa Station of the Lowell Observatory, was named in his honor — the same observatory that later received his telescope.
- 04.The original 69-inch mirror of the Perkins Telescope was removed when the telescope was relocated to Lowell Observatory and replaced with a 72-inch mirror; the original was preserved in a museum.
- 05.Perkins taught at Ohio Wesleyan University for 34 years, from 1873 to 1907, and lived for another 17 years after his retirement, long enough to see planning for his namesake telescope move forward.