University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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PRESIDENT JAMES B. ANGELL.

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Table of Contents RELIGION, EDUCATIONAL, PUBLICATIONS, DEBATE AND ORATORY, . ENTERTAINMENT, Music, SOCIAL, SOCIETIES, . VIEWS, ALUMNI, FRATERNITIES, ADVERTISING, FACULTY, SENIORS, CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION. . CLASS ATHLETICS, ORGANIZATIONS, POLITICS, PAGE. 7 17 125 159 175 189 . 193 . 199 . 203 . 215 . 223 . 231 . 239 . 243 . 255 . 267 . 291 I LXXXII

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James Burrill Angell. BY MARTIN L. D OOGE. INCE the facts of the life of President Angell can easily be found in any biographical dictionary, I shall not attempt to give a detailed and chronological account of his career, but rather try to sketch the character and indicate the honors that crown the life of our much esteemed President. From a sturdy New England ancestry Dr. Angell inherited those qualities of mind and heart that make the foundation of a complete and noble manhood. From his Alma Mater, Brown University, he received an all-around outfit for the work of his life. As so often happens, the Brown-bred boy had little idea what path of life he should walk in after graduation. But he received that old-fashioned broad training that would stand him in good stead whatever was to be his vocation, for the day had fortunately not yet dawned when it was thought more important to turn out incipient doctors, lawyers or engineers, than well trained and cultivated men. Had it been otherwise, it is probable that his education would have been simply a preparation for the calling of a civil engineer, a calling which was supposed to be favorable to a young man of somewhat frail constitution, and which he entered for a little while, chiefly as a means of recuperating his health. An opportunity to go abroad was eagerly seized by the young graduate, especially for the purpose of pursuing studies in the modern languages for which he had special liking, and for the pursuit of which very slender facilities were afforded by the best colleges of that day. This turn of affairs became the starting point of his Academic career, for he returned to his Alma Mater to occupy the chair of modern languages, a position he held for seven years. In this period he became well versed in the internal affairs of Brown University and showed aptness for administration. During this time he published a Manual of French Literature for college use. But his acquaintance with Senator Anthony of Rhode Island, who was for many years the publisher of The Providence Journal, turned his life into a new channel. The Senator had discovered in the young Professor unusual gifts as a writer and as an observer of men and affairs. The Civil War had broken out. During this crisis there was need of some skilled hand to write the editorials of this journal, then one of the most influential in New England. The Senator induced Mr. Angell to take the editor ' s chair. To this work Mr. Angell bent all his energies. The young Professor became the skillful advocate, the graceful writer, the fluent speaker, the judicious manager, and the man of broad and generous outlook. But with the passing of the crisis departed the chief motive for remaining in the Editorial Chair, and so when the University of Vermont was searching for a vigorous and wise administrator of its affairs and found the right man, the Editor of the Providence Journal was quite ready to enter again into educational work. By some good stroke of fortune, the University of Michigan was led to Vermont for her President. 4