Ernst Julius Sommer, who had been for
many years connected with the United States Coast and Geodetic
Survey died in Washington, November 12, 1923.
Mr. Sommer was born at Cannstatt, Germany, February 17, 1847;
received a scholarship at the Polytechnic Institute at Stuttgartt,
where he studied engineering from 1862-1867; came to the United
States in 1869; and for 48 years was a member of the Government
service. In 1870 he became a member of the expedition of Captain
Shufeldt, United States Navy, which made a survey for a ship
canal or ship railway across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico;
in 1873 he was topographer with the Wheeler survey under the
United States Army engineers, which executed a survey in New
Mexico and Colorado. For his work on both of these expeditions
he received official commendation. He prepared the illustrations
of the constellations which appeared in the first edition of
the Century Dictionary and in collaboration with Professor Charles
S. Peirce, made the mathematical computations necessary to prepare
the drawings.
He was a member of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey
from July 1, 1870, until his resignation in September 1918.
During this time he was a cartographer, engaged on the construction
of maps and charts. His principal work was a series of maps
of southeastern Alaska along the disputed boundary line which
was of great value to the Government in the settlement of the
matter. He had a thorough knowledge of English, German, French,
and Spanish. Upon the occasion of his resignation, due to ill
health, he received letters from the Director of the United
States Coast and Geodetic Survey and from the Secretary of Commerce
expressing their "appreciation of his devotion to duty during
48 years of efficient Government service, of the high-grade
nautical chart work which had contributed in large measure to
the safety of the ships of the Navy and Merchant Marine, and
of his enviable record which was an inspiration to others and
should be a never-failing source of satisfaction to himself."
Mr. Sommer's lifetime rule of conduct was "Strive not for place
but for indwelling excellence." Until advancing age made active
participation impossible, he was a member of the American Legion
of Honor, the National Geographic Society, and the American
Society of Civil Engineers. He had many friends in the survey
who will regret to learn of his death.
C&GS BULLETIN, 11/1923
