It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top, for while the lower ranks of life are crowded, comparatively few have the ambition and the energy to climb to the heights in connection with business or professional interests. Recognizing and utilizing his opportunities and wisely employing his time and talents, T. Sterry Hunt became recognized as one of the eminent Canadian scientists, his ability winning for him the unusual honor of being made a fellow of the Royal Society of London. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut, September 5, 1826, a representative of an old New England family. It was his parents’ desire that he should become a representative of the medical profession, but a strong inclination toward the study of chemistry, mineralogy and geology prevented him from becoming a physician. In 1845 he pursued his studies under Professor Benjamin Silliman of Yale University and later became his assistant. His constantly expanding powers marked him a man above the ordinary and distinguished honors came to him as the years passed. As early as 1846 the result of his original research work was published in an article which he wrote for the American Journal of Science. When the Geological Survey of Canada, then recently organized by Mr. (later Sir) William E. Logan, required the service of a competent chemist and mineralogist, Mr. Logan applied to Professor Silliman to supply the man and Mr. Hunt was recommended for the position, which he accepted early in 1847. His connection with the survey continued until 1872, when, much against the wish of the government, he resigned. His work embraced a large amount of field geology. The most difficult problems presented by the geological formation of Canada are those of its crystalline rocks. To this study Mr. Hunt addressed himself from the beginning and made the first clear exposition ever presented of the earlier rocks of the country. He afterward gave the names of Laurentian and Huronian to these rocks and in his investigations, analyses and scientific research laid the foundation of what he regarded as his life work. He also gave constant attention to the economic and practical departments of the survey and was the first to make known the deposits of phosphate of lime in Canada and call attention to its commercial value for fertilizing purposes, collecting and sending specimens of the same to the foreign exhibits of 1851, 1855 and 1867. He analyzed soils, investigated the petroleums of Canada and their distribution, and his studies of the mineral waters of the Dominion were the first and most complete ever made. His work in many respects constituted the foundation, basis and stimulus of all later investigation. [Illustration: T. STERRY HUNT]