University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Yackety Yack Yearbook (Chapel Hill, NC)

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Vol. XI UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA Eben Alexander nE was my friend, so true and loyal, so thoughtful and unselfish, so near in all that makes friendship sweet and precious, that it tears afresh the wound made by his loss to tell for others the story of that life. The months which have flown have scarcely dulled the pain. The fireside by which we sat so often is cold, the chair is empty, and the light gone out, and yet ' The waiting hand xvill clasp mij own once more Across the silence in the same old Wav. He was born of gentle and cultured parents. His father was Judge Eben- ezer Alexander, of the Second Circuit Court of Tennessee — a man just, kind, and thoughtful — and his mother was Margaret McClung, admired by all who knew her and beloved for her gentle manners. The qualities of these two parents were finely mixed in their son, and the gracious influence of his mother, though he lost her early, affected his whole life. The fondness for books, which he showed as a boy, led to his thorough preparation for college and to his entering Yale at eighteen years of age. The honors won there showed not only his ability as a scholar, but his popularity among his fellow students, and some of the closest friendships of his life were formed there. His loyalty to his alma mater was deep and lasting, and he kept up an unfailing interest in her every success. The last journey of his life was taken to the old campus and elms of Yale. From her he had received the training and inspiration for his life work, and his love for her was strong and abiding. Graduating in 1873, he returned to his home in Knoxville to teach ancient languages in the University of Tennessee, and at the age of twenty-six was elected professor, becoming chairman of the Faculty a few years later. His rapid rise and the confidence placed in him testify to his marked ability, and the love and respect which his old pupils there bear for him give evidence to the fine qualities of inspiring teacher and courteous gentleman so noteworthy in his after car eer at our own University.