A CENTURY OF GALAXY SPECTROSCOPY

The first successful spectrum of a galaxy, M31, was obtained in 1898 a nd published in a two-page paper in the young Astrophysical Journal (S cheiner 1899). Thus the first century of galaxy spectroscopy and the f irst century of the Astrophysical Journal are almost coincident; I cel ebrate both in this paper. I describe the very early history of the de termination of internal kinematics in spiral galaxies, often by quotin g the astronomers' own published words. By mid-century, observations w ith improved optical and radio telescopes offered evidence that much o f the matter in a galaxy is dark. As the century ends, research intere sts have enlarged to include study of spheroidal and disk galaxies wit h complex nuclear (and other) kinematics. These complicated velocity p atterns are understood as the result of interactions, acquisitions, an d mergers, and offer clear evidence of the important role of gravitati onal effects in galaxy evolution.