George Sarton, professor of History and Science, emeritus, and one of the greatest science historians in the world, died yesterday at the age of 71.
At the time of his death he was engaged in compiling a history of science and culture which I.B. Cohen '37, assistant professor of History and Science, called last night "unparalleled in dimensions and magnitude, the largest survey of science ever dreamed of." Sarton had completed two of his projected nine volumes.
Cohen said that "it would require different specialists to do each one of the remaining volumes" and that "Sarton was the only man in the world who could undertake such a task."
Sarton's whole life had been devoted to the teaching and exploration of science's history. He had written hundreds of articles and 11 books on the subject, besides teaching four half courses in the History of Science field during his teaching in the College from 1916 to 1951.
In 1949 he gave his immense collection of books, documents, and card files to the University to establish the George Sarton Collection for Research in the History of Science.
Before starting the nine-volume project, Sarton wrote a two-volume "Introduction to the History of Science," "The History of Science and the New Humanism," "The Study of the History of Science," and "The Study of the History of Mathematics." These works totalled over 3,000 pages.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, in Memorial Church.
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