University of Maryland College Park - Terrapin / Reveille Yearbook (College Park, MD)

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Sr. Strljarii William g-ilupatn Bj) Thomas H. Spence ()RN near Norfolk, September i6, 1857, the son of , ' i Virginia planter and grandson of a Virginia physician, Dr. Silvester entered the Virginia Aiilitary Institute in September, 1873, whence he was graduated with honors in 1877. Having come to Maryland after graduation as instructor in mathematics and commandant of cadets at the Charlotte Hall Military Academy, he was elected principal of this school in 1885. In 1888 Dr. Silvester married Miss Lucy Lee Bowen of Prince (ieorge ' s county, Maryland. The latter survives him, with two children — Dr. Richard Lee Silvester of Baltimore and Miss Virginia Lyndsay Silvester of Prince George ' s countv. In 1892 the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Agricultural College selected Dr. Silvester as. President of the College. In June of 1907 there was conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws by Washington College. On December ist, 191 2, on account of a serious physical breakdown, he resigned the presidency of the College, and in recognition of his distinguished services was made President Emeritus. On the 31st dav of December, 1916, the subject of this sketch jia sed from this life. The honor of writing the biography of Dr. Silvester for the 1900 Revf.ille came to the writer, and it is an honor nov. ' to utter these few words by way of obituary. Twenty full years of toil, persistence, ])atience and self-sacritice, all to transform neglected farms into productive homesteads — that was Dr. l ilvester ' s self-imposed task, and that was his complete achievement. Never was he thwarted by criticism and discouragement. His optimism made obstacles melt away like frost before the morning sun, and the sunshine from his own heart warmed and enthused his faculty to unwonted zeal and loyalty. Few of the Maryland State bo} ' s of T917 can recall Dr. Silvester, but nearlv 3000 of the old boys will never forget their good old Captain, for his work with them and for them was the greatest element in their develoi)ment into men. His fireside was a haven for all. No one, from ranking professor to lowly prep, ever left his threshold without being inspired by his goodness and help. The community was better for his participation in public council, and the neigh- borhood made sweeter by his exemjilary private life. The appended resolutions of the faculty, from the ])en of Profes or W. T. L. Taliaferro, constitute a just mead of praise upon the life achievements of this great and good man : Whereas, on the 31st day of December, after a long and distressing illness. Dr. Richard W. Silvester passed from this life and entered into the Silent Land, and 15

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fSEVETCiCg DR. RICHARD W. SILVESTER Witiiin ihi rc.iliii ..f rarr ami woe, W ' lKia ' plcri ' -nrc ' s (iiil - cmne and go, I i.iw iidIiIc a ' k-rd it i In lift rile lite of another o ' er xmie rift! Mow iivi-A{ is he, thei!. who has fought llis whole life long that a happier thought Might bloom for each who glimpsed his smile, ' riiru knowledge gained of a world worth while . Ah, well, indeed, he serves niaid ind Who thru the world of n master ' s mind Has to his fellow being,-, unfurled ' i ' he banner of thought — kev to the world. R. C. T 14

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Whereas, Dr. Silvester was President of this Institution from 1892 to 1912; therefore, be it Resolved by the President and Facnhy of the Maryland State College of Agriculture, in meeting assembled, That it is fitting and proper at this time that this Faculty, many of whom served with President Silvester during his in- cumbency, should in formal manner bear testimony to the high character and ability of Dr. Silvester as a man, and the splendid physical and moral achieve- ments accomplished by him as President of the Maryland Agricultural College. Becoming President at an opportune period, when the passage of the second Morrill Act gave to the College for the first time a working income, he was quick to realize the opportunity, and threw all the force of a strong and vigorous personality into the development of the Institution along the lines he deemed most profitable to the students under his government and to the people of the State. Buildings arose, instructional facilities increased, the student roster swelled and, reaching beyond the campus, the influence of the College was felt in everv part of the State. The introduction of engineering courses into the College curriculum, the organization of the Farmers ' Institute Department and the establishment of the State Horticultural Dejiartment were among the first and most prominent demon- strations of the initiative and energy which Dr. Silvester threw into his work, and of the strong support which he gave to his Faculty. Yet these de velopments were but the results of a moral revolution which had been wrought by him and his co-workers in the popular sentiment of the State, converting it from an atti- tude of hostility and distrust to one of confidence and i)ride. To every department of the College Dr. Silvester gave jiersonal attention and loyal support, discriminating only as seemed in his judgment for the best interests of all. In the student body his interest was })ersonal and cordial to a marked degree, embracing not alone their physical and mental training, but also and especially their social and moral growth. This care was well repaid in the higher tone which was developed in student morale. Human frailty and disease arrested Dr. Silvester at a time when he should have been best prepared to carry on the great work to which he had devoted his life, that as a technical school the Maryland Agricultural College should become the most efficient factor in the advancement of his adopted State by the scientific training of her citizens to develop her vast natural resources. Yet not in vain did he sacrifice the golden treasures of his health and strength. He laid a foundation broad and deep upon which may yet be realized the ideal which through many bitter trials and disappointment gave him ever inspiration and strength. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the Minutes of this Faculty, and that a copy of them be sent to Mrs. Silvester. 16