New York University - Violet Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Henry Mitchell lVlacCracl4en, D. D., LL. D. N the year 1884, during the Chancellorship of Dr. john Hall, Dr. Henry Mitchell MacCracken became connected with the University, acting Hrst as Professor of Philosophy, then as Vice-Chancellor, and since 1891 as Chancellor. The New York University has, during his administration, founded its Graduate Seminary, its School of Pedagogy, and obtained new grounds in the upper part of New York City, and both its resources and the number of its students have nearly doubled within the eight years of his connection with the institution. Henry Mitchell MacCracker1, Chancellor of New York University, was born at Oxford, Ohio, the seat of Miama University, September 28, 1840. His father, john MacCracken, was a Presbyterian clergyman, and his mother, before her marriage, the head of a school for young ladies in that village. Dr. MacCracken was graduated at Miama University as Bachelor of Arts at the early age of seventeen, and until he was twenty-one, was a classical teacher and school superintendent. He then studied theology in Xenia, Ohio, and Princeton, N. J., and subsequently pursued the studies of philosophy and history in the Universities of Tuebinger and Berlin, Germany. He then, for fifteen years, acted as pastor in the cities of Columbus and Toledo, Ohio, taking also an active part in ecclesiastical affairs. lVhile a pastor he was a member of the committee that led in founding the Wooster University and the Green Spring Academy, and he was also the first to propose, in his Historical Memorial to the Gen- eral Assemblyj' the Presbyterian Tercentenary of 1872. During this period he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Wittenberg College, Ohio, and in 1887, that of Doctor of Laws from Miama University. He became Chancellor of the Western University of Pennsylvania when he was forty years of age, and four years later was removed to the New York University. , 1 O amnesia, wmit wi 1 maawebsrs Jhdwaua has

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Under his administration, the TVestern University of Pennsylvania was removed from Pittsburg to the suburbs, a step which has led to its very great enlargement. Dr. MacCracken's publications comprise K' Lives of the Church Leaders, published in both New York and Edinburgh 5 and numerous short writings upon philosophical, sociological, educational, histor- ical and religious questions. In 1867, he addressed, as a delegate from America, the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, which met at Edinburgh, and the Irish General Assembly in Dublin. He also delivered an historical address at the first meeting of the congress of the Scotch-Irish race, in Belfast, Ireland, in 1884. I-Ie is an officer of the American Society of Church History, of The Society for the Prevention of'Crime, The American Tract Society and other benevolent associations. The lamented Howard Crosby, the former Chancellor of the University, shortly before his death, wrote of him : Dr. MacCracken's tall, strong figure is suggestive of his untiring energy in the important offices he ills, with which energy are combined- a wise discretion and a thorough knowledge of men, which make him a safe counselor and a successful administrator. A clear, philosophic mind with a vigorous common sense shows itself in his writings and in his public addresses. No one can more graphically place before his hearers the details of Scripture narrative or doctrine. To these intellectual powers are added a warm heart and a genial manner, which attract and delight his friends. VVith these conspicuous qualities of mind and heart, his career as Vice-Chancellor of the University of the City of New York has been marked with success. No one person, in the sixty years' history of that institution, has done so much for its prosperity as a school for high learning, and this by a remarkable attention, both to the general management of the' University and also to the minutest details. Notwithstanding these 'increasing labors he does not fail in interest regarding all public questions, and his essays on financial subjects have commanded general attention. ll nf . me ag:-an-f