Father Metcalf

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FF2Rydia
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Father Metcalf

Post by FF2Rydia »

I'm trying to find some info about Father Metcalf. First name and which WWII general he had been personal chaplain for. There's a possibility that he made, as an amateur, some of the plates in the Harvard collection.
Kris Hultner
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Dale Smith
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Re: Father Metcalf

Post by Dale Smith »

I am not sure if this is the same Metcalf that you are interested in, but George Metcalf was chaplain to Gen. George Patton during WWII.

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/110266619.html

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-0 ... n-chaplain
George Metcalf, 88, a chaplain who helped write a prayer to stop the rain so that Allied warplanes could bomb German forces during the Battle of the Bulge, died Thursday in St. Paul, Minn.
FF2Rydia
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Re: Father Metcalf

Post by FF2Rydia »

That's the local Metcalf. Now I need to find out if the Harvard Metcalf is the same as the local one.
Kris Hultner
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Dale Smith
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Re: Father Metcalf

Post by Dale Smith »

I think it is a different Rev. Metcalf.

The following link mentions a Metcalf telescope:
http://dasch.rc.fas.harvard.edu/telescopes.php
"This telescope was first used at Rev. Metcalf's observatory in Taunton, Massachusetts from 1905 through at least 1913"
(Note the location in Taunton, MA about 40 miles south of Harvard)

This link mentions another Metcalf telescope:
http://www.assabfn.co.za/friendsofboyde ... 10inch.htm
"The 10" Metcalf was built by Joel H. Metcalf, a noted amateur astronomer of the 19th and early 20th century."

The Wikipedia article on Joel H. Metcalf says:
"Joel Hastings Metcalf (January 4, 1866–February 23, 1925) was an American astronomer.
Metcalf graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1892. He served as a Unitarian minister in Burlington, Vermont and
in Taunton, Massachusetts, Winchester, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine.
He discovered or co-discovered several comets, including 23P/Brorsen-Metcalf and 97P/Metcalf-Brewington,
and also a number of asteroids. Asteroid 792 Metcalfia is named in his honour."
(Note the mention of Taunton, MA again and the connection to Harvard.)
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lhoen
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Re: Father Metcalf

Post by lhoen »

I worked for Father Metcalf around 1967-69. He hired several local kids to work his property throughout the year. He was a great and kind man, meticulous in every way. I remember he had taken Polaroid photos of every part on his tractors that were necessary to change out accessories without mistake. You are right, he was the Chaplain with Patton - he would talk about those experiences. He was also a true geek as he was into Short Wave radios and the earliest types of computers (and teletypes). I remember having to climb his antenna to paint it! His basement was filed with equipment I had never seen before. I recall he had two sons he was sending to Harvard around that time too (his wife was heir to the Parker's Ink family) so I wouldn't doubt he probably went there as well. I believe he did have a small refractor if I recall correctly. A great man.
Lauren
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