Col. A. R. Clarke, C.B., F.R.S.

Abstract

IT is with more than usual regret that we record the death, on February 11, at eighty-five years of age, of Colonel Alexander Ross Clarke, one of the foremost geodesists of our time. Born in 1828, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1847, anc was appointed to the Ordnance Survey in 1850. From this, date onwards to his retirement in 1881 his energies were devoted to the work of the Survey with the exception of a three-year tour of service in Canada (1851-4). Throughout this period the work of the Ordnance Survey was in a most interesting stage, and it was fortunate that he was available to assist in the development of its scientific labours.