Boston Latin School - Liber Actorum Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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CURRICULUM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The English Department has two related functions in the training of students. The efficient use of the language for the commlniication of information and ideas is essential for success in any desired profession in later life. ln the courses in linglish. therefore, the stall' assists all students to develop skill in written and oral expression. ln writing or speaking, individual assist- ance is available to those who are especially interested. .Nfter a few years, most students can notice the improvement in their speed and elliciency in other subjects, owing to the excellent background which English masters have given them. The second function of English teaching at the Latin School is to contribute to the liberal education of all students through required courses in literature. The purpose of the courses is to teach students how to read for the values which great writers have, in works of lasting worth, contributed toonr way of life. THE LATIN AND GREEK DEPARTMENT llnder the able direct.ion of Mr. Hopkinson, the Latin and Greek Department enjoyed another successful year in carrying on the teaching of the classics. In 1635, when Boston Latin School was founded. the study of Latin and Greek was essential. Then, as now, the knowledge of the humanities was realized as essential to a well-bred rnan. The past year has proved to be no exception. From Ritchie's First Steps to Virgil, and from White's Greek Grammar to Homer, all of the boys at B.L.S. have given their close attention to the language of ancient Rome and Greece. Everybody at the school hopes that the classical language de- partment will reign for many more years as successfully as it has during 1953-5-I. THE FRENCH DEPARTMENT With vivacious Mr. Levine at the helm, another year passed, with the French Department carrying on its wonderful work. From the works of DeMaupassant down to the pronunciation of Ie crayon., the able group of masters have turned out another group of potential ambassadors and interpreters. The brilliant French Department has done an amazing job in training the boys of B.L.S. in a language which is still spoken. Although some may never study the language after secondary school, the romantic French will never be forgotten. Good luck to Mr. Levine and his able corps. 1l10l

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FACULTY JOHN HULL, Class of 1635 Born in Boston in 1624, John Hull attended the first session of Boston Latin School, which Schoolmaster Philemon Parmont had undertaken to conduct in his own home. John Hull was the first mint-master of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the wealth he accumu- lated enabled him to become the business leader of the settlement and a great patron of trade. C OTTON MATHER Flaw of 1669 A freshman at Harvard College at the age of 12 in 16TAl, Cotton Mather prepared to follow the path his father had taken in the ministry. Fully aware of the danger of letting the Royal Government assume un- reasonable powers. Mather was a leader of the revolt against cruel Governor Andros. He was also one of the few calm, compassionate persons who tried to prevent the burning of witches in Salem. JOHN LEVERETT, Class Qf 1669 After completing his education, John Leverett entered the field of politics. His rapid rise to the posi- tion of Speaker of the House in the Massachusetts legislature raised him high in the public esteem. In 1707, he was elected President of Harvard College, where he instituted needed reforms. -l9l

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THE GERMAN DEPARTMENT Any boy willing to put a little faithful study here into the German language will be rewarded not only by an exceptionally high mark in the College Board Exam, but also by a thorough background of German, which will prove useful in the years to come. Starting with the famous Elementary -t00 , a boy will work his way through an ever-increasing deluge of word and verb sheets until, in his senior year, he is given the opportu- nity to hear, via the medium of Mr. Yan Steenbergens phono- graph, German spoken by a real, true-to-life Deutscher. Nleanwhile, of course, he is acquiring a minute knowledge of tlerman grammar and construction. For a tinal word, one has merely to use this oft-repealed phrase of the head of the de- partment: Die Cherman period xhould pe doupledf' THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT 'lihought by many boys the most interesting of all subjects, history has been well-treated in the past year. From the Pale- olithic Age to Charlemagne, and from the Age of lixploration to the liisenhower administration, the llistory Department has brought Io the boys the background of social progress. All boys, except those in Classes ll and lll, have taken history this past year. Although many have grumbled about the heavy assignments, we feel safe in assuming that they all enjoyed the fascinating courses drawn up by Mr. Pearson and his statf. May the llistory Department. enjoy many more years of interesting work. TIIE MATHENIATICS DEPARTNTENT The ltlathematics Department takes pains tal to make math- ematics an elfective practical tool for all students, especially for those who have elected the M.l.T. preparatory course, which covers more advanced phases of the subject: and tbl to furnish a sound foundation for further study in pure or applied tields. Certainly the solution of many seemingly unrelated problems demands a mastery of basic mathematical principles. liase and conlidence in the solution of such problems come only with constant practice. The Department strives to meet both of these needs, first, by insisting on precision and accuracy in written work: and, secondly, by cultivating classroom dis- cussion of theory and practical application thereof. THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT To the stall' of the Science Department falls the responsibility of introducing students to the fundamentals and basic prin- ciples. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on the devel- opment of scientilic thinking, methods, theorems, and tech- niques. Ample opportunity to develop initiative and latent skills is presented in laboratory projects. Chemistry and physics are presented by an excellent faculty, most of whom have been with us for more than twenty years. The classes are both educational and entertaining. Modern laboratories, com- plete with the best of materials and apparatus, give the student preparation which will be invaluable in college. -till