Catherine Wolfe Bruce

Catherine Wolfe Bruce (January 22, 1816 – March 13, 1900) was a noted American philanthropist and patron of astronomy.

Early life Bruce was born on January 22, 1816. She was the daughter of the George Bruce (1781–1866), a famous type founder who was born in Edinburgh, and Catherine Wolfe (1785–1861), the daughter of David Wolfe (1748–1836) of New York City. One of five children, her brother was David Wolfe Bruce (1824–1895), who, along with David Wolfe Bishop, inherited the fortune of their cousin, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe.

Career

She studied painting, learned Latin, German, French and Italian, and was familiar with the literature of those languages.

In 1890, she wrote and published a translation of the "Dies Irae."

Philanthropy

In 1877, she donated $50,000 for the construction of a library building and the purchase of books in memory of her father. The library, known as "The George Bruce Library" was completed in 1888 and was located at 226 West 42nd Street and designed by G. E. Harney. The building was sold in 1913 and the proceeds were used to build the current George Bruce library located on 125th Street in Harlem and designed by Carrère & Hastings.

As an amateur astronomer, she turned to philanthropy in this field at the age of 73, only after reading an article by Simon Newcomb claiming all the major discoveries in astronomy have occurred. In 1887, she donated the George Bruce Free Library.

Bruce established the Bruce Medal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in recognition of lifetime achievements and contributions to astrophysics, and is one of the prestigious awards in the field.

Honors Asteroid 323 Brucia, discovered by Max Wolf is named after her, as well as the crater Bruce on the Moon. She was awarded a gold medal by the Grand Duke of Baden.