Michigan State University - Red Cedar Log Yearbook (East Lansing, MI)

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William James Beal, Ph. D., D. Sc. Roosevelt has said that a man, to be truly great, must add something to the world's knowledge during his life. As we look about us for such a man, who is more prom- inently in the foreground than Dr. Wfilliam James Beal? A glimpse of Dr. Beal's early life will show us that it was his own ambition that placed him in his present position of greatness. He was born at Adrian, Michi- gan, March 11, 1833, of Quaker parents. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and his early training was very limited. VVhen asked what his early ambition was, he said, Study was a bore because of incompetent teachers and my special ambition was to hunt squirrels and ducks and to build dams in brooks where I put in waterwheels and mills, but now the planning and care of the Botanical Gardens is better than fishing and hunt- ing for me. V VVhen seventeen years old he entered the Raisin Val- ley Seminary and completed the preparatory course in 1855 at the Lodi Academy at Lodi, Michigan. On Oc- tober first of the same year he entered the classical course at the University of Michigan and in 1859 re- ceived the degree of A. B. in this coursc. In 1861 he entered the Laurence Scientific School of Harvard University and received the degree of S. B. in Latin in 1865. He was instructor of Natural Science at the Howland Institute from 1865 to 1868, during which time he was granted the degree of A. M. by his Alma Mater. In 1868 he was called to the University of Chi- cago where he was made Professor of Botany. He held this position for two years and spent the summer giving lectures at M. A. C. In 1871 he accepted a position as Professor of Botany and Horticulture at this college. In 1881 he added Forestry to the curriculum and also started the Botanical museum of which he is curator. The departments which were under his supervision re- quired more and more attention because of thc increase in the number of students and in 1902 the divisions of forestry and horticulture were made departments, each with a competent head. This left Dr. Beal in a position to devote his whole time to his chosen profession and he has worked with untiring efforts in the interest of, not only his own department, but of all others as well. Wfhile Dr. Beal's time has been occupied in teaching he has found time to launch a number of prosperous organizations. IVhile at the University of Michigan he became a charter member and the Hrst President of the XI Chapter of the Zeta Psi fraternity. In 1881 he became thc first president of the Society for the Pro- motion of Agricultural Science, and in the same year he was president of the Michigan State Teachers' As- sociation. In 1888 he was the first president of the As-

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William James Beal, Ph. D., D. Sc

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sociation of the U. S. Experiment Station Botanists. In 1887, through his agitation, the State Legislature provided for the organization of a Forestry Commission and Dr. Beal was appointed its first directorg and when Michigan forestry shall have attained the measure of success which is Worthy of the cause, Dr. Beal's name will occupy the greatest historical prominence. Now that Dr. Beal is to give up his active life at M. A. C. and enjoy a rest which he so well deserves we hope that some of the quaint sayings which have been drilled into his students may be developed into hook form and then the Xvorl d can know the value of Dr. Bealls Keep on Squintingl' policy.