Physicist; born in
Philadelphia, Pa., July 19. 1806; was a great-grandson of
Dr. Franklin, and was graduated at the United States Military Academy with high honor in 1825, receiving the appointment of lieutenant of engineers, and remaining in the academy a while as assistant professor.
Two years he was under
Colonel Totten in the construction of military works in
Newport, where he married
Miss Fowler, who, as his wife, was his great assistant in astronomical observations.
He resigned from the army in 1827, and from that time until 1832 he was a professor in the
University of
Pennsylvania.
Ardently devoted to scientific pursuits, he made important discoveries.
In 1836 he was chosen president of the board of trustees of Girard College, and he was very efficient in the organization of that institution.
He visited
Europe to study various institutions of learning there; and in 1839 he published a
Report on the European system of Edducationi.
In 1841 he became the first principal of the Philadelphia High School; and in 1843 he was appointed superintendent of the United States Coast Survey.
His services in this field were of the highest importance.
Various universities conferred
upon him the honorary degree of Ll.D. He published several scientific essays; was a member of the Light-house Board; a regent of the Smithsonian Institution, and active in various public labors.
Dr. Bache bequeathed $42,000 to the Academy of Natural Science in
Philadelphia, for the promotion of researches in physical and natural science, by assisting experimenters and observers.
He died
[
241]
in
Newport, R. I., Feb. 17, 1867.
See
coast and Geodetic survey. 
