George Comstock

George Cary Comstock (February 12, 1855 – May 11, 1934) was an American astronomer and educator.

Biography George Comstock was born in Madison, Wisconsin on February 12, 1855, the eldest child of Charles Henry Comstock and Mercy Bronson. In 1877 he was awarded a Ph.B. from the University of Michigan, after studying mathematics and astronomy. For a couple of years he worked for the U.S. Lake Survey and then a Mississippi River improvement project, before joining Washburn Observatory as the assistant director in 1879. As career insurance, during his free moments he studied law and was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1883 after graduating from Wisconsin law school. However, he would never practice the legal profession.

He was appointed professor at Ohio State University in 1887, where he taught mathematics and astronomy, and he took over directorship of the Washburn Observatory. His brother Louis became Chairman of the Board at New York Title Insurance Company.

George Comstock died in Madison on May 11, 1934, and was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery.