Born: 1865 (circa), United States (assumed)
Died: Unknown
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from What Women Have Done for Astronomy in the United States, written by Anne P McKenney and published in Popular Astronomy, vol. 12, pp.171-182 in 1904.
Charlotte R. Willard: graduated at Smith in 1887. There she specialized in astronomy and mathematics. After graduation she accepted a position as assistant at Goodsell Observatory, Northfield, Minn. Here under the direction of Professor Payne she took charge of the time service which is one of the most extensive in this country covering a distance of 13,000 miles. At 9.57 A. M. the signal goes out, all the switches along the line are turned off, these messages having precedence. By means of a small key attached to necessary wires Miss Willard sent out her record of time over the country. Besides this work she occupied for a long time the position of teacher of mathematics at the same place. In 1893 Miss Willard went to Marsovan, Turkey, to teach in the girls’ school there. After a few years of work an epidemic of smallpox broke out to which Miss King of Minneapolis, also a teacher, fell a victim, in spite of diligent nursing and the utmost care on the part of her companions she died. Miss Willard took her place and was very successful in her work. Miss Willard’s writings on astronomy are confined for the most part to articles which have appeared from time to time in POPULAR ASTRONOMY of which she was assistant editor for several years.