The third Union Notables exhibit, now open in Schaffer Library Atrium, features these three individuals: John Bigelow, Class of 1835; Sue J. Goldie, ’84; and Charles Proteus Steinmetz, Union faculty member from 1902 to 1923.
Bigelow, a lawyer and statesman born in Malden-on-Hudson, N.Y., was instrumental in the establishment of the New York Public Library. He also was actively involved in the Democratic Party and a strong supporter of abolition.
From 1849 to 1861, he was one of the editors and co-owners of the New York Evening Post. At Union, he was a member of tthe Sigma Phi Society and the Philomathean Society (literary group).
Goldie, a public health researcher; was awarded a MacArthur grant in 2005 “for genius and creativity” in applying decision science to find alternative interventions for viruses that are major public health problems.
With a major in biology from Union, she went on to earn her M.D. from Albany Medical College and M.P.H. from Harvard University. She is currently associate professor of health policy and decision science in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Steinmetz (1865-1923), a native of Breslau, Prussia (now Wroclaw, Poland), made significant contributions to the development of electricity as an engineer and inventor, holding more than 200 patents in his lifetime.
He taught electrical engineering and applied physics at Union, wishing for his students “the spirit of divine discontent, for without it the world would stand still.” Also a chief General Electric engineer, he was widely regarded as the leading electrical engineer in the United States in his time. Each year, Union students honor his memory through the Steinmetz Symposium of creative, scholarly and research achievement.
The current Notables installation will remain up through March 24. For more information, go to: www.union.edu/Notables