Beloit College - Codex Yearbook (Beloit, WI)

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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

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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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BIALCOLM' XV. XVALLACE