Professor of Physics
Centurion, 1912–1934
Born 2 January 1870 in New York (Brooklyn), New York
Died 14 March 1934 in Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Buried Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey
Proposed by Henry Fairfield Osborn and Paul van Dyke
Elected 1 June 1912 at age forty-two
Century Memorial
The most interesting distinction of Augustus Trowbridge was achieved quite apart from his career as professor and Dean at Princeton. Leaving his collegiate chair of physics to enlist with Pershing during 1917, he quickly applied his laboratory experience to invention of physical machinery whereby, within a minute after discharge of enemy artillery, the sound waves could be made to record photographically the exact position and calibre of the German guns. For this notable achievement, which proved to be of great strategic value, Dr. Trowbridge received high rank and honorary distinction. His friends described him, on his return to the United States and Princeton, as looking every inch the soldier; suggesting, by his military bearing, less a faculty research professor than a commanding general.
Alexander Dana Noyes
1935 Century Association Yearbook