Clinton Harvey Currier

Clinton Harvey Currier (1876-1943), professor of mathematics and astronomy, was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on January 1, 1876. ’He earned a bachelor of philosophy degree in 1898 and a master of arts in 1899 at Brown. He became an instructor in mathematics at Brown in 1899, and was promoted to assistant professor in 1916 and associate professor in 1928. He also taught astronomy from 1914 to 1932. He was an instructor in mathematics at the Rhode Island School of Design from 1903 to 1909. He was director of Ladd Observatory from 1921 to 1931, and wrote a monthly column on astronomy for the Providence Journal. He organized volunteer groups in Rhode Island to observe the total eclipse in January 1925. During sabbatic leaves he studied at the University of Chicago, the University of Göttingen, and Cambridge University. He was co-author of a textbook entitled A Course in General Mathematics published in 1928. He was a founder of the Brown Alumni Monthly and served as its business manager for thirty-one years. Upon the death of Dean Kenneth 0. Mason in 1930, Currier took over his duties in connection with admissions and advising the freshman class. He became ill and took a leave of absence in 1931 in an attempt to regain his health. He returned, but became ill again in 1936 and retired in 1938. He died on January 5, 1943, in Providence.