In 1923 he joined the staff of the Scientific American where he started the Amateur Scientist Column in 1928.[1] He continued as an editor until his retirement in 1955. His primary interest was in the areas of astronomy and telescope construction. During his thirty year career, both he and Russell Porter formed the heart of the American amateur telescope making community. He wrote a regular column in Scientific American about amateur astronomy. He edited a pair of books on amateur telescope making that were later updated into a three-volume set.
He retired in 1955, and travelled about New York state studying genealogy until he was struck by a car. His injuries left him paralyzed, and after a year of discomfort he died at the age of 70.
