Porter, Russell Williams (1871-1949)

US explorer, astronomer, and telescope maker. He participated in ten Arctic voyages (1894-1904) and was once marooned in the Arctic for nearly two years. Inspired by his celestial observations, he made his own telescope and helped to design the 200-inch telescope on Palomar Mountain in California. He also contributed to the design of the astrophysical laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. He designed landing craft, rockets, and fuses for the US Navy during World War II. Porter was born in Springfield, Vermont.