The Discoverer
The discoverer of "Planet Lehigh": Joel Hastings Metcalf, 1866-1925
The Unitarian minister and avid amateur astronomer Joel Hastings Metcalf was born in Meadville, PA, in 1866, and died in 1925.
Metcalf studied at Meadville Theological School and Harvard Divinity School. In 1892 he received a Ph.D. from Allegheny College and later studied at Oxford University.
Metcalf had a longstanding interest in astronomy. In Taunton, he had his own observatory. He also was an accomplished telescopic lens grinder. He discovered six comets, 41 minor planets, and variable stars. Using a comet seeking instrument of his own construction, within two days in 1921 he discovered three comets, two of which turned out to be new. His instruments were used by the Harvard Observatory. Metcalf received various awards from astronomic societies, was a member of the American Astronomical Society and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and had a close association with the Harvard Observatory.
He gave many lectures and wrote scientific articles and religious poems. He was cited for courage at Chateau Thierry in World War I, in which he worked to get supplies to soldiers.
Of Metcalf it was said that "his rest consisted in hurrying from one form of activity to another".
Information for above and quote is from Popular Astronomy, October 1925. See also the webpage about Metcalf at http://personal.tmlp.com/richard/metcalf.htm See also Popular Astronomy, January, 1939, "Joel H. Metcalf, Clergyman-Astronomer", by his daughter Rachel Metcalf Stoneham, and http://personal.tmlp.com/richard/yankee.htm