He graduated from the Columbia School of Mines in 1890, receiving a degree of Ph.B., and was connected with the faculty there in 1891–1911, filling the chair of physics for some time before his resignation.

He wrote Systematic Treatise on Electrical Measurements (1897), and made many contributions to scientific periodicals.

He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and president of the Vedanta Society of New York.

[4] Prospecting, surveying, and studying mineralogy and general physics, he made explorations and first ascents in the Canadian Alps in 1897, 1899 and 1903.

He participated in first ascents of the mountains Goodsir and Dawson in British Columbia, and of Hungabee, Deltaform, Biddle and Lefroy in Alberta.