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Dr. Tesla

Subject:   Dr. Tesla
  Date:    Thu, 8 May 1997 14:42:34 -0400
  From:    "Thomas McGahee" <tom_mcgahee-at-sigmais-dot-com>
    To:    "Tesla List" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>



----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
> Subject: skin effect/other
> Date: Thursday, May 08, 1997 1:40 AM
> 
> Subject:   skin effect/other
>   Date:    Wed, 7 May 97 08:40:37 EDT
>   From:     pierson-at-ggone.ENET.dec-dot-com
>     To: 
> 

SNIP
       
> Other:
> I took a quick look at Prodigal Genius and Inventiones Researches &
> Writings.  I saw no mention of 'honorary doctorates'.  I'd be
> interested to know who conferred these.
> 
>         thanks
>         dwp

dwp,
Leland Anderson's book, "Nikola Tesla on his Work with Alternating
Currents", page 71 in the footnote relates how Columbia College, New
York City (now Columbia University) conferred on him an honorary
doctorate LL.D. awarded in June, 1894. I would like to quote a small
section:

"... I spent an afternoon recently with Tesla, and regard him as one
of the most distinguished men I have ever met. I happened to meet
Professor Crocker shortly afterwards, and and learned from him that
he had spoken to you in regard to giving Tesla an Honorary Degree. I
would like to support this in the most earnest manner. Poulton [Prof.
of Biology at Oxford] tells me that TESLA WAS COVERED WITH HONORS
WHILE IN ENGLAND AND FRANCE {emphasis added}. We certainly must not
allow any other University to anticipate us in honoring a man who
lives under our very walls."

Leland Anderson got this data from the Columbia University Archives.

I would also like to quote the following from page xiii of the
introduction to Anderson's book. The introduction is by K.L. Corum
Ph.D. and J.F. Corum, Ph.D., names that should need no introduction
to members of this list:

"Unlike most of the aforementioned scientists, Dr. Tesla (for so it
is appropriate to call him) had no financial support to fall back on
from a faculty position or research institute"

Yes, for so it is appropriate to call him.

There are other honorary degrees, if anyone wants to look them up. I
would be pleased to call him Dr. Tesla even if he never finished high
school. Doctor is a title of great respect. Tesla earned it.

Fr. Tom McGahee