Swarthmore College - Halcyon Yearbook (Swarthmore, PA)

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From the interest aroused in physiology and anatomy through the associa- tion of the Academy, he drifted into medicine and was graduated an M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1883. Six months later he was appointed resident physician in the Pennsylvania Hospital, which position he retained for 16 months. The desire for unrestricted activity led him to attempt the practice of his profession. He accordingly took an office in the city, but after two years ' trial, gave it up in disgust, having realized that his inclinations were not toward the practical, but toward the scientific and literary side of his work. During this time, however, he had, in response to a request, delivered a lecture on Birds at the Academy of Natural Sci- ences with creditable success. The preparation and delivery of this work led him to think that he would like the profession of teaching. He was not long in making the attempt, and, being convinced that he had discovered his realm, secured, in 1888, his present position as Professor of Biology at Swarthmore College. This position gave him ample opportunity for pene- trating into scientific details along his chosen line. He immediately set to work to interest others in his subject, and with such remarkable success as to make the biological course, in the brief time that it has been under his charge, extremely thorough and popular. At the same time he has contributed his own opinions and discoveries to the public through various magazines. The first of these articles appeared in the American Naturanst in 1876 on The Habits of the White-footed Mouse. Among other articles are Notes on a Rare Warbler, in the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club; The Discovery and Description of a Hybrid between Two North American Swallows, in the same journal; The Collar-bone in Mammals, and Gland Structure in the Elephant ( American Nati raiist); The Significance of Certain Phases in the Genus Helminthophila; Among the Swamp Warblers {The Auk); The American Robin and His Conquerers {Popular Science Monthly), and Birds of the Grass-land. He has also published a book entitled Les- sons in the New Geography, and has another under course of publication. The Principles of Animal Life.

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Brief Sketch of the Life of Dr. Spencer Trotter. R. SPENCER TROTTER was born in Philadelphia February 8th, i860. From an early age he took a lively interest in animals, but he does not attribute any of his later biological career to this, for he says: It is a trait common to all primitive states of man, since in the early days of the race a keen knowl- edge of animal life and of surrounding nature was one of the essential conditions in the struggle for existence. This primitive trait all children tend to reflect, as shown in their interest in animals. The first decided turn, however, toward the study of nature was developed when about 12 years of age. He frequently accompanied his father on hunting excursions into the country, which gave him an oppor- tunity to make a collection of birds, much prized because of its completeness at such an early age. Ornithology, he says, kept me out-of-doors and out of mischief. ' ' At the age of 15 he became associated with the Academy of Natural Sciences, and assisted in moving the big collection from Broad and Sansom Streets (present site of Hotel Lafayette) to their new quarters. Concerning his early education he says: I attended various schools from the age of 8 to 18 with various successes and disappointments to the various parties concerned. While at school I got along best at geog- raphy, natural history, and general literature. Mathematics and languages blocked me, but I loved etymology. I have always had a great fancy for delving into the meanings of words. Besides being one of the greatest interests in my life, it has been a wonderful help. I was always fond of writing, and wrote, scribbled, and drew pictures as long as I can remem- ber. He left school when but j 8 years old and got the Jessup Fund Fellow- ship of the Academy of Natural Sciences, which he retained two years. 6

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Swarthmore College, SWARTHMORE, Pa. INCORPORATED BY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, 1864. First Class Graduated 1873 COLOR— Garnet. Cheer ' Rah, ' rah! ' Rah, ' rah, ' rah! ' Rah, ' rah! ' Rah, ' rah, ' rah Swarthmore !