University of Maryland Baltimore Dental School - Mirror Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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D.D.S., F.A.C.D. Dean, Professor of Dental Anatomy and Operative Technics President of the American Dental Association Page five

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President of the University Born in 18 89, Dr. Byrd is a native of Somerset County, Mary- land. He attended Crisfield High School and the Maryland Agricultural College, where he received his degree in 1908. Besides his outstanding scholastic attainments he achieved distinction in football, track, and baseball during his student days. In 1912, he became a!thletic coach and Instructor in English and History at his alma mater. During World War I, he organized and directed the Students Training Corps at College Park. At the close of the war he was made assistant to Dr. A. F. Woods, President of the University. He remained in that position when Dr. Woods was succeeded by Dr. Raymond Pearson. When Dr. Pearson resigned in 1936, Dr. Byrd was chosen to succeed him. Through his efforts in the State Legislature, he was instru- mental in the merger of the State Schools of Law, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and the Agricultural College. New structures included in Dr. Byrd ' s progressive building program for the University in Baltimore are the hand- somely equipped Bressler Memorial Building, the annexes of the Schools of Nursing and Dentistry, and additions to the Uni- versity Hospital. tteJi elilfl. O ' Qano.1 Governor of Maryland Governor O ' Conor was born in Baltimore in 1896. He attended St. Paul ' s Parochial School and Loyola High School. He received his A.B. degree from Loyola College, of Baltimore, and in 1920 received his LL.B. degree from the University of Maryland. In 1924 the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by Loyola College. In 1921 he was appointed Assistant State ' s Attorney; in 1923 he was appointed by Governor Ritchie to the position of People ' s Counsel of the Public Service Commission. He was elected State ' s Attorney in 1924 by an easy majority. He held this position until elected Governor of Maryland in 1938; in Novem- ber of 1942 he was re-elected to that office. Governor O ' Conor has played a prominent part in the progress of the University of Maryland and much of its expansion can be credited to the cooperation between the Chief Executive of the State and Dr. Byrd.

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The Robinsons have been in America for a long time. Joseph H. and EUzabeth (Blackwell) Robinson of Rileysville, Virginia, both claimed descent from early Virginia settlers, the Robinsons being of Irish origin and the Blackwells of EngUsh ancestry. Their son, Joseph B. Robinson, was born in Rileysville in 183 8, living in Warrenton, Virginia, until he was twenty-one. He then moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where, on April 16, 1883, his eighth child, J. Ben, was born. J. Ben Robinson was educated in the public schools of West Virginia. After three years of preliminary teaching he matriculated at the Teachers ' Training School, Marshall College, from which he was graduated in 1908. While at Marshall he played baseball and football, acting as captain of the eleven in his senior year. Continuing his scholastic career at West Virginia University, Dr. Robinson took post-graduate courses in subjects that were of especial interest to him. Upon completing his work at the University he taught mathematics and science in a high school in New Martinsville, West Virginia, for three years. Together with a cousin who was particularly close to him, Dr. Robinson planned to enter medical school, but the prospect of self-support through the four-year medical course acted as a deterrent and wedge in the proposed careers of the two men; for while one did enter the Johns Hopkins Medical School, the other turned to the then shorter curriculum that dentistry offered and entered the University of Maryland Dental School. While a student Dr. Robinson served on the Editorial Staff of the University Gazette, was President of the Senior Class, and was graduated Gold Medal Winner in 1914. He was immediately appointed Demonstrator of Operative Dentistry, a position he held until 1915, when he returned to Clarksburg to begin practice — a practice which lasted just six weeks, for the Dental School was determined to have Dr. Robinson as a member of the faculty, and have him it did. The next nine years were marked by a rapid and steady series of advancements. In 1916 Dr. Robinson was appointed Professor of Clinical Dentistry. The following year he married Mrs. Beulah Minor Welsh of Baltimore, and one year later was appointed Professor of Operative Dentistry. He retained this chair until 1921, resigning to devote his entire attention and energy to an extensive practice. In this same year he was elected President of the Maryland State Dental Association; he founded the publication of that organization, The Bulletin, acting as its editor. In 1922 he was appointed by Governor Albert C. Ritchie to serve upon the State Board of Dental Examiners, resigning in 1924 to become Dean of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. It has been chiefly through his efforts that the oldest dental school in the world is also one of the best, not only in its purely physical aspects but also in its curriculum and faculty. Dr. Robinson is a member of the American Association of Dental Schools (President, ' 32- ' 33), the Maryland Historical Society, Sons of the American Revolution, American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Association for Dental Research, the American Association of University Professors, the Maryland State Dental Association (President, ' 21- ' 22), Phi Sigma Kappa, Gamma Alpha Pi, Psi Omega (Supreme Grand Master), Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the University Club, Kiwanis (President, ' 34), and Torch; Fellow of the American College of Dentists (President, ' 34- ' 35), Fellow of the New York Academy of Dentists. In 1934, at the request of Secretary Frances Perkins, Dr. Robinson accepted a position on the Committee of Dentists, assisting the committee on economic security. Recently he was appointed to a committee of dentists acting in an advisory capacity to the Selective Service and more recently was appointed by Secretary of War Stimson to a committee that consists of the nation ' s leading medical men, whose duty it will be to study the Army Medical Service so that personnel, both here and abroad, will have the benefit of the best medical care. Finally, as a climax to a full and active career, Dr. Robinson was elected to the Presidency of the American Dental Association, an honor that can be thoroughly appreciated by those not associated with the profession as well as by those who are. That Dr. Robinson ' s interest and devotion to dentistry are complete is reflected in his hobby of collecting old and rare books pertaining to dentistry . What is modestly admitted to be a fine library is actually one of the best of its kind in existence. From it Dr. Robinson has generously donated numerous invaluable publications to various organizations. These, then, are the salient facts of the life of our Dean. Those who have heard him speak from the rostrum or who have had the privilege of speaking to him per- sonally know of his clear-cut, concise manner of thought and expression, his dynamic delivery and subtle himior. A keen mind, driving ambition, and remarkable energy have won for Dr. Robinson high position and favor in both professional and civic activities. Fane Six