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Maynard F. Jordan
Professor Emeritus of Astronomy
1892 - 1986
Jordan's Staff Photo, UMaine dept. of Mathematics |
Maynard F. Jordan was born on December 17th,
1892 at Little Cranberry Island. He was raised and educated
in Maine, and received both his degrees from the University
of Maine. His legacy continues in the form of the Maynard
F. Jordan Planetarium, of which he was the first director,
and the Maynard F. Jordan Observatory, where he was almost
as much a fixture as the telescope itself. He taught astronomy
at the University of Maine for 35 years, and is still remembered
as one of the most popular and well-liked professors ever
to be employed by the university.
Jordan was a highly intelligent, well-educated man. He
studied at Harvard University, the Perkins Observatory in
Ohio, Wesleyan University and the University of Chicago,
in addition to receiving his two degrees from the University
of Maine. He began his teaching career as principal of Warren
high school. He became an assistant professor of mathematics
at the University of Maine in 1919, but left when he was
called to the service in the first world war.
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Teaching Fellow at Harvard University, where he met and studied
under astronomer Harlow Shapley. After this meeting Jordan
shifted his considerable intellect to the study of astronomy.
In 1925, however, he returned to his alma mater, this time
as a professor of astronomy, and remained there until his
retirement in 1960.
Professor Jordan was an active member of the community
and the campus, and was known for his quiet dignity and
dry sense of humor. He was a well respected figure at the
University of Maine throughout his tenure, serving on the
athletic board and acting as the official time-keeper at
university athletic events. During the infamous 1938 broadcast
of "The War of the Worlds" dozens of people from
around the state called Professor Jordan, begging for his
advice about the Martian invasion. In 1958, the college
embarked upon the construction of the planetarium. This
project would take several years, and Jordan would spend
the rest of his career working in and around the new facility.
In 1993, the planetarium was officially re-named in his
honor, as was the observatory where he did his research
and teaching.
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Jordan takes a break from chopping wood |
Professor Jordan and his wife, Ada |
After his retirement Professor Jordan remained
in the Orono/Old Town area. Professor Jordan died at the age
of 93 in a nursing home in Orono, on November 22nd, 1986. |
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