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

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CHARLES W. ELIOT: U. S. educator and a leader in public affairs, he was born in Boston, Mass, on March 20, 1834. Graduating from Boston Latin School in 1849 and Harvard University in 1853, he taught mathematics and science at Harvard from 1854 to 1863. In 1865 he became professor of analytical chemistry at MIT. There he served until 1869, when he was appointed president of Harvard, which, when he retired in 1909, he had successfully elevated into an institution of world renown. Contending that higher learning in the United States needed to be “broadened, deepened, and invigorated,” Eliot demanded a place for the sciences along with the humanities in any sound program of liberal education. Eliot’s influence reached into secondary education too. During his presidency Harvard raised its entrance require- ments, and some other major colleges did likewise. This in turn effected a corresponding rise in secondary school standards. Charles W. Eliot LEONARD BERNSTEIN: American conductor, com- poser, and pianist, born Lawrence, Massachusetts on August 25, 1918. He took up the study of piano when he was 10, graduated from Boston Latin School in 1935, and graduated from Harvard University in 1939. On November 13, 1943, he scored a spectacular triumph when, with less than 12 hours’ notice and with no opportunity to rehearse the musicians, he substituted for Bruno Walter in leading the orchestra through a difficult program, earning the un- qualified acclaim of the audience and the ciritics. Between 1945 and 1955 he led every major orchestra in the United States and western Europe and was everywhere conceded a place in the front rank of the world’s conductors. Especially gifted in the interpretation of contemporary music, Mr. Bernstein has also appeared frequently as a concert pianist. His own compositions include numerous works in the serious, popular, and jazz idioms. Leonard Bernstein of Outstanding Service 13

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HEADMASTER’S MESSAGE Albert J. VanSteenbergen Assistant Headmaster Nicholas Murray Butler, late President of Columbia University, once said that “Edu- cation truly conceived is spiritual growth toward intellectual and moral perfection, and is not an artificial process to be carried on according to mechanical formulas to a purely material end.” There are utilities higher and utilities lower, and if a school in its zeal to fit the youth for self-support were to neglect to lay the foundation for that higher intellectual and spiritual life which constitutes humanity’s full stature, it would sacrifice the higher utilities to the lower. Fortunately the Class of 1966, along with the legions of past graduates, has received a training in the Humanities based on “spiritual growth toward intellectual and moral perfection.” Because of this educa- tion, you are fortified with knowledge and the know-why which will enable you to live the good life. Like the Latin School men of the past, you will be able to stand up and be counted upon to do your duty no matter the cost. Let the cause be just, you will be its defender, there-by inspiring those of lesser moral fiber. You will be leaders in our society of tomorrow, never forgetting the example of the host of leaders whose names adorned our hallowed hall. The lat- ter excelled in many fields of endeavor but they all had one thing in common — a reso- lute determination to do their duty and excel in the area of talents with which their Creator so generously endowed them. Plato tells us. “For a man to conquer himself is the first and best of all vic- tories.” The long hard road through the Latin School which you have traversed proves the Philosopher’s statement. You have done this by acquiring SELF-DISCI- PLINE the sine-qua-non for success in life. You have the Humanities to thank for that priceless virtue. Be never unmindful of the debt you owe your Masters, parents, and the good people of the City of Boston who made it possible for you to enjoy the privilege of attending this venerable institution. Be loyal to BLS, aid her in every way, make her cause your cause. Make it a goal to help future Latin School boys to achieve a college education by being a generous donor to the Scholar- ship Funds. Above all heed the admonition of Horace, “Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem — .” 15