University of Delaware - Blue Hen Yearbook (Newark, DE)

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D000 01030 made it live for his hearers. He was great as a man as well as great as a scientist. Dr. Edgar F. Smith, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, himself a great chemist, says that Dr. Wolf was one of the few men of his acquaintance who impressed him with the profundity of his scientific at- tainments, and that often after some meeting of chemists at which Dr. Wolf modestly sat silent, he has heard some of the most illuminating re- views of the entire discussion from the lips of this unassuming teacher. He had collected one of the best chemical libraries in this country, but he was more than a mere book-buyer, and hizs mind was stored with the richness of his treasures. As a man he was as simple as a child. Beneath his apparent roughness of manner and brusqueness of speech there was a gentleness of soul that was womanly in its tenderness. His was an affection- ate nature which held his friends bound as with hooks of steel. It took some time for the Sophomore to get used to hiz quick manner of speech, but when he was understood he was recognized as the students best friend, and ever after was the most popular man in the college. But it is Dr. Wolf, the man, integer vitae, scelerisque purus that was the great force in Dela- ware College. Honest in purpose he dared to follow wherever sound reason led him and would not compromise with any easy going beliefs. Firm as a rock in what he believed to be right he furnished a potent example to steady the minds of his pupils. His was a master mind in the subjects which he taught, but his life and manners, his character and personality made a more lasting impression upon all who came in eontact with his noble life than any formal lesson or stated exercizse. He has left to Delaware College, which he served all his life, the heritage of high ambitions as a good man and a great teacher.

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A Theodore R. Woll, M. A., Ph. D. Heidgetverg 4, ONDAY evening before commencement day of 1909 the college community was shocked to hear that Doctor Wolf had sudden- ly been stricken with illness. There was no suggestion in his rugged physique that he would not attain the full measure of vears. He had been so long associated with the college and had impressed himself so strongly upon it that he had become a part of its very life. On Tuesday morning after commencement day he died in the 59th year of his life. He was born in Edwardsville, Illinois, September 17, 1850, and attended the achools of his native town. In due time he en- tered Washington University, St. Louis, and was graduated with the degree of B. 5. in 1868, At this early age there were already signs of the distine- tion that was to be his, and he at once went abroad to enter Heidelberg Uni- versity. After pursuing his studies there under the great masters of sci- ence, before he reached his 21st year he was graduated with the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. Bunsen, the great chemist, him- self planned a trip through Switzerland which the voung student followed in every detail. He cherished the memory of this great man with all the strength of his big, warm heart. He never tired of telling about the charm of Kirchoit's lectures or of the sterling worth of Helmholz's brilliant work., He spent a semester in the University of Wiesbaden and one at Leipsic where he pursued his studies under the direction of the great Frisenios and the learned Kolbe. A story illustrative of the regard Bunsen had for the voung American is that when Sir Lionel Playfair came to ask Bunsen to name an assistant for him in his laboratory in Edinburgh, Dr. Wolf was named. He declined the flattering offer, however, as his affection for his native country was too strong, He was chosen Professor of Chemistry in Delaware College in the sum- mer of 1871 and assumed the duties of the position early in the fall. The office of State Chemist went with the professorship and he discharged the duties of the dual position with characteristic energy and great success. When the handsome young stranger entered the classroom at Delaware Col- lege he found many students older than himself, but it did not take them long to discover that their teacher was deserving of their respect. His simplie- ity and directness found ready entrance to the mind of the learner; his forcefulness and mastery compelled attention; his energy and enthusiasm were contagious; his industry and persistence were encouraging, He was a teacher who knew his subject and by sheer strength of his knowledge 8

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7 ; 10010 44 LIBRARY THE NEW COLLEGE D 00 O WIOQOIOJ