1. Dictionary of National Biography, s.v. “Lardner, Dionysius.”
2. Dionysius Lardner, Popular Lectures on Science and Art, 2 vols. (New York: Greeley & McElrath, 1846). This was preceded by revised offprints of newpaper accounts, for which see note 15, and followed by many subsequent editions, for which see note 24. Unless otherwise indicated, all references are to the first edition.
3. Ibid.; the article does say “reportedly.”
4. Ibid.; J. N. Hays, “The Rise and Fall of Dionysius Lardner, ” Annals of Science 38 (1981): 527-542.
5. William Charles Macready, The Diaries of William Charles Macready, 1833-1851, 2 vols. (1912; reprint ed., New York and London: Benjamin Blom, 1969), 2: 53; entry for March 21, 1840.