2 0 0 4 A n a m i d z u
Mars/Lowell Conference
Message from Professor David STRAUSS
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
April 12, 2004
Dear
colleagues:
I have
followed with great interest the planning for the upcoming conference on Pericval Lowell which will be held at Anamidzu
May 2-5, 2004. It was my good fortune to participate in the
first Lowell Society of Japan conference at Anamidzu
in July 2001 and I only wish that I could be with you on this occasion. Unhappily, conflicts in my schedule prevent
me from making the trip. All the same I
wish to congratulate the OAA Mars Section, the Lowell Society of Japan, the
Hearn Society, and the other groups organizing the conference for putting
together such an interesting program.
I am very
impressed with the roster of speakers who will address you. The guest speaker, my friend Bill Sheehan, is
a leading scholar on the history of Mars’ observations. His Planets
and Perception (1988) is among the most insightful books that have been
written on Lowell’s approach to astronomy. I note as well that, Professors Yokoo and Hiraoka, will also be speaking at the conference. Their on-going translation of Lowell’s Occult Japan will make available to Japanese readers one of Lowell’s most important
works. And, I am delighted to see that
Mr. Sakashita of Anamidzu
has been involved in the conference planning.
Mr. Sakashita, along with Professor Miyazaki
of Kanazawa, generously introduced me to the Noto Peninsula in 1988.
In conclusion,
let me wish you a very lively and successful conference. You can be sure that I will be with you in
spirit on the Noto Peninsula this May on the 115th
anniversary of Percival Lowell’s visit!
Sincerely yours,
David
STRAUSS
Emeritus
Professor of History
Kalamazoo College
Author
of “PERCIVAL LOWELL, The
Culture and Science of a Boston Brahmin” (Harvard University Press, 2001)
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