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The American physicist Henry Augustus Rowland (1848-1901), a professor at Johns Hopkins University, was once called to testify as an expert in a trial.
During cross-examination, he was asked what qualified him as a witness.
"I am without doubt the greatest living expert in the field," the professor replied calmly.
Some time later, a friend of his, who knew Rowland's modest and reserved nature well, expressed surprise at his pompous emphasis.
"It is not like you to come out with such an answer, to praise yourself in such an unusual way," he said.
"Well, what did you expect me to do?" the American physicist replied. "I was under oath."
During cross-examination, he was asked what qualified him as a witness.
"I am without doubt the greatest living expert in the field," the professor replied calmly.
Some time later, a friend of his, who knew Rowland's modest and reserved nature well, expressed surprise at his pompous emphasis.
"It is not like you to come out with such an answer, to praise yourself in such an unusual way," he said.
"Well, what did you expect me to do?" the American physicist replied. "I was under oath."
