Obituary of Charles V. Walker

C. V. WALKER, F.R.S.

ON the 24th December last Mr. Charles V. Walker, F.B.S. breathed his last, the cause of death (in his 71st year) being due to weakness of the heart's action. We believe he became first of all prominently known in scientific matters by his translation of De la Rive's admirable work on electricity and his connection with the famous Dr. Lardner. He had been telegraph engineer to the South-Eastern Railway since 1845. Science owes much to the labours of the deceased gentleman, and the following may be tabulated amongst the more important:—

1843. Movable studs for use when earth currents prevail. Protector against lightning, and a compound needle

1849. Movable coils for use with earth currents, and the platinised graphite battery.

1850. Improvements in insulators

1851. Single stroke bell and compound ringing key.

1854. Galvanometer semaphone.

1863. Single-wire electric-magnetic telegraph semaphone.

1866. Passenger and guard communicating apparatus.

1874. Train describer.

1875. Double-action electric repeater.

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So long ago this prominent electrician recognized the necessity of concentrating scientific thought and investigation upon the subject of electricity, and therefore took an active part in the then newly-formed London Electrical Society, of which he was made secretary in 1843. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1855.

In 1876 Mr. Walker was President of the Society of Telegraph Engineers and of Electricians, and we recommend to the notice of our readers his very interesting address published in the above society's journal for that year.

Although but little heard of during late years. Mr. Walker's life has been spent in doing earnest and conscientious work to make clear the path of others, unit his death severs another link in the weakening chain which connects the present generation of electricians with the old school of the pioneers of electrical science in England.