8.2 Anecdotes
153
Fig. 8.2 Cornelis Easton (1864–1929). This picture comes from the Album Amicorum,
presented to H.G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen on the occasion of his retirement as professor
of astronomy and director of the Sterrewacht Leiden in 1908 [47]
Anecdotes about Kapteyn can be found in various articles and other writings
that illustrate aspects of his personality. Cornelis Easton (1864–1929) (see
Fig. 8.2) was actually a journalist, but also a successful amateur astronomer. In
that capacity he even published articles in professional astronomy journals, such
as the American Astrophysical Journal, on subjects such as the spiral structure of
our Galaxy, which he derived from the structure of the Milky Way in the sky.
Because of his merits, Easton received an honorary doctorate in Groningen in
1903, with Kapteyn acting as an honorary professor. Kapteyn and Easton were
good friends and shortly after Kapteyn’s death Easton wrote an extensive article
about Kapteyn in the magazine of the association of amateur astronomers
and meteorologists, Hemel and Dampkring entitled Personal memories of J.C.
Kapteyn. I quote: