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Harlow Shapley in Variable Comments

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Dorrit Hoffleit

Maria Mitchell Observatory, Nantucket, Massachusetts

Abstract

Among the professional astronomers who played a significatnt role in the history of the AAVSO, Harlow Shapley (1885-1972) ranks probably second in importance only to E. C. Pickering. Rather than recount Shapley's life and achievements in the customary obituary fashion, I should rather quote what the members themselves have said in "Variable Comments', published by the Association between 1924 and 1954. This little journal included primarily reports on the meetings and the Recorder's Annual Reports. The years of its publication embrace most of the span of Shapley's Directorship of the Harvard College Observatory, when his influence and friendship were the most valuable.