Beloit College - Codex Yearbook (Beloit, WI)

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GDHITICS B. JBHCOI1-1111 fIlSCl1IOICl8lTl-GOl1Iil1ll6O reader. Besides what was done in the departments directly under his care, Professor Bacon gave to general interests much thought and effort. He sought to make the Library useful in every possible way to the college, to students, to -Alumni. He was jealous of the reputation of Beloit on the athletic Held and in the arena of intercollegiate oratory and debate, and entered enthusiastically into the men's preparation for the contests. His time was at the disposal of every man whon1 he could help. Very many of Beloit's grad- uates look back with especial gratitude to him as guide, philosopher and friend. The charm of his conversational powers, the readiness of his response to whoever came to him for counsel, the interest with which he followed the Alumni into their after careers, all endeared him to many hearts. LastQSeptember, from the hospital, Professor Bacon was driven to the door of Memo- rial Hall, and looked for the last time upon the walls within which so 11111011 of his work had been done. He ordered his wheel-chair, so familiar to those who frequented the Library, to be taken up stairs, he was not to use it again. But that' invalidls chair repre- sents the most heroic aspect of his life, his ten years' struggle with spinal disease, mysteri- ous, painful, incurable. Too long, perhaps, for his own good, he carried on his wonted work, now walking with a cane, then with crutches, finally depending upon the aid of the students who carried him so tenderly from carriage to couch or chair. Every form of treatment that promised relief he faithfully tried, the limitations which the progress of the disease imposed he accepted, but he refused to allow it to conquer his spirit. It would be a paradox to say that this physical disability enabled Professor Bacon to do more than he could have done without it, but it certainly enabled him to do some things which he could not else have done. It was the controlling force, for those later years, in determining his character and infiuence. It called out that courage of endurance which was the admiration of all who saw him. It nerved him to more strenuous activity himself, and increased his hold upon others. It tested the fiber of his faith, and devel- oped that tenacity of purpose which sustained him in the unequal iight. The long struggle is ended. But the memory of his energetic personality, his pene- trating mind, his incisive teaching, his heroic bravery, will long perpetuate his influence for good. R. C. CHAPIN. 1 35

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barles El. JBacon TII1 !ID6mOl'i8lh1 HE external facts and dates regarding any life furnish only the frame in which is set the personality that we have known, but even so they have their interest. Charles Alfred Bacon, son of the Reverend William F. Bacon, was born Feb. 24, 1862, at Brattleboro, Vt. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1883, and taught at Hallowell, Me., and at Wakeneld, Mass. On the recommendation of Prof. A. W, Burr, who had known his reputation at Hallowell, Mr. Bacon was appointed Instructor in Mathematics and Director of the Observatory in Beloit, and came here in the fall of 1885. In 1886 he was made Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Observatory, in 1888 he took charge of the Library. In 1888, and again in I89O, he enjoyed several months of residence and professional study abroad. In 1893 he was married to Mrs. Alice G. Sheldon. In 1899 he gave up the Observatory and assumed the chair of French. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1901. Professor Baconls work for the college was thus devoted chiefly to Astronomy, the Library and French. In the astronomical department, to which he first gave his atten- tion, he applied himself with ingenuity to supplementing the equipment, and brought the Observatory into notice by supplying a time service to neighboring cities, and by writing for the press on astronomical subjects. He conducted an important series of observations on sun-spots, and enlivened by his genial presence the tedious night-watches of star- gazing students. When his physical disabilities, in 1899, compelled him to give up the Observatory, he threw himself with characteristic vigor into the teaching of the classes in French which he assumed. His methods, whether in drill in the elements, or in the reading of his favorite authors, were his own, and called for a large expenditure of vitality on the part of the instructor, and close attention to business by the students. In 1888 the care of the Library, which Prof. Emerson had carried since 1848, was laid upon the shoulders of Professor Bacon. He was not dismayed by the cheerless environ- ment of tl1e upper room where it was then quartered, but addressed himself vigorously to the improvement of heating and lighting, and the extension of the library-hours. He re-arranged the books according to the Dewey system, and carried through the task of making a card-catalogue. Dr. Horace lfVhite came to his assistance with a timely gift, in 1895, and in the Spring of that year the books were brought down to the lower Hoor of Memorial Hall, which had been fitted up as it now appears in accordance with the care- planning of Professor Bacon. The number of bound volumes has increased from 13,700 in 1888 to over 28,ooo in 1901. The Library as it exists today is his monument. His presence and suggestion inspired the remarkable esprit de corps of his student assistants, and his tactful advice brought the resources of the Library within reach of many an untrained 34

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R. MALCOLM W. WALLAC E, who succeeded to the chair of English Literature and Rhetoric at Beloit in 1899, was born at Vtfindsor, Ontario, in 1873. Some idea of the breadth and liberality of his training for the profession upon which he has entered, may be gained from a brief statement of his work as an undergraduate and later as a graduate student. His preparatory course was taken at the Windsor Collegiate Institute, located near his home. After completing his preparatory studies he entered the University of Torontoiin 1892, and was graduated from that institution in 1896. While at Toronto he studied along the lines of his future work, specializing in English Literature and in Modern Languages. After graduation he pursued a course in pedagogy for one year in the Ontario Nor- mal College for teachers. ' In 1897 he received a fellowship in the department of English Literature at Chicago University, the appointment being based upon the excellence of his work at Toronto. His graduate work at Chicago comprised two years, at the end of which period he received the degree of Ph.D. from the university. His thesis on The Influence of Plautus on the English Dramatic Literature of the Sixteenth Century, is being published in book form by Chicago University. His call to Beloit came just at the close of his residence at Chicago and he entered upon his duties as professor in September, 1899. In addition to his thorough training, Dr. W'allace has demonstrated by his work at Beloit that he is a teacher and lecturer of unusual ability. He has entirely reorganized his department by the introduction Of new courses and new methods of instruction. The new impulse thus given to the study of English in the college has resulted in large acces- sions to the department in the number of students pursuing courses in literature, and in the growth of the department to one of the largest and strongest in the institution. The work of Dr. Wallace in bringing the English department thoroughly up to modern standards, is one of the marked features in the advance made by the college in recent years. Its importance to the future of the institution is recognized by all who have followed the great changes in the methods of teaching English in the past few years and the increased demands made for training in English by college students here and elsewhere. In addition to his department work, Dr. Wallace has shown his ability in dealing with matters which concern the broader phases of college life. His interest in athletics, in secondary education and in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of the institution, indicate that in him Beloit has not only secured an able and thoroughly trained department professor, but one who will do much to advance her interests in all spheres of college activity. 36