On September 27, 1926, Charles Doolittle Walcott took some
action to implement a dream. He wrote:
I wish very much to have a talk with you in regard to the
Smithsonian Institution and my withdrawing from all executive and administrative
work May 1, 1927– When I will have completed 20 years active service as
secretary. Henry, Baird and Langley died
in the office but I do not think it is wise for the Smithsonian Institution or
for me to go along. I have writing to do that will take all my energy up to
1949. What fun it would be to watch the evolution of democracy up to 1950. Just
now I am not looking ahead beyond 1930. I was told I might pass on at 26,
again at 38 and 55 but being of obdurate temperament I declined.
Charles Walcott died in office on February 9, 1927. – Stephen J. Gould
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