Named in memory of Joseph Swain (1857–1927), successor of Daniel Kirkwood {see planet  (1578)} as professor of mathematics at Indiana University in 1886. In 1891 he became professor of mathematics on the original Stanford University faculty. He returned to Indiana University as president in 1893. Kirkwood Hall, a classroom building, and the Kirkwood Observatory were built during Swain’s nine years as president, and the department of mechanics and astronomy was created in 1895 with John A. Miller {see planet  (1826)} as head. Swain became president of Swarthmore College in 1902. He persuaded Miller to join him in 1906 after he raised money for a telescope twice the size of the Kirkwood Observatory 0.30-m refractor. (M 25653) _ _.