Named in memory of Lewis Swift (1820-1913), famous U.S. comet hunter. The first of his 13 discoveries, P/Swift-Tuttle (1862 III) {see planet (5036) for the co-discoverer}, parent of the Perseid meteors, is also the most famous. He discovered his last comet at the age of 79. Name suggested by I. Hasegawa.

At the meeting of 03-03-1903 the rules were suspended and on motion of G.E. Lumsden, seconded by A.F. Miller, Lewis Swift FRAS was elected a Corresponding Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Swift thus had the honour of being the first Corresponding Fellow elected by the newly-dedicated Society.

Orbit type: Main Belt Asteroid

Reference: MPC 19493