University of Wisconsin Madison - Badger Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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18 ggg THLLUNIKERSITY 'BADGER ggvgvg- 195 Biographies. IDCEIDS of E6DSlYfl'l16lIf5. Dibvoarb Elsabel 5Birge. DVVARD ASAHEL BIRGE was born at Troy, New York, September 7, 1851. In his infancy his parents, Edward White Birge and Ann Stevens Birge, moved to a farm near New Haven, Conn. In 1863, the family returned to Troy, where young Birge studied in the Grammar School and High School, graduating in 1869. In the fall of the same year he entered the Freshman class of Williams College. During his course he took prizes in German, Latin, Greek and Natural History. He graduated with the degree of A B. in 1873- second in his class. In the fall he began work in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, study- ing under Prof. Agassiz until his death in December, 1873. His studies were continued under Profs. Macrady, Shaler, Goodale and Hagen until December, 1875. He returned to Cambridge, also, for the fall term of 1876. In 1878 he was granted by Harvard University the degree of Ph. D., his thesis being on the Cladocera of Cambridge, Mass., and Madison, Wis., printed in part in Vol. IV. of the Transactions of the II'isco11s1'n Academy of Science, Arts and Letters. Dr. Birge was elected Instructor in Natural History in the Universitv of Wisconsin in 1875, but for the first two years was on duty only during the second and third terms. In 1879 he was elected Professor of Zoology. Por the College year of 1880-81 he was granted leave of absence, and studied histolo0'v and . C-f physiology in the laboratory of Prof. Ludwig, at Leipzig University. As a result of the work of this year, papers were published on the Motor Cells ofthe Spinal Cord, in Archiv fur Anatomic and P11-vsiologie. These papers were reprinted in part in Vol. VI. of the Transactions of the Wisconsni Academy. Dr. Birge was elected Dean of the College of Science and Letters in the University of 'Wisconsin in 1890, since which date he as perfoi med both the duties of P1 ofessoi of Zoology and of Dean.

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'95 --um-THE UNIVERSITY 'BADGER M 19 fThe original scientific work of Prof. Birge has been mainly on the Cladocera. Up to the present time the systematic notes only have been published. The general problem which isbeing studied is the condition of life at the edges of ponds and fresh water lakes on prairies and in forests. A catalogue and description of the species found is a necessary preliminary to this general study. This work is not yet complete, but several new species have been discovered. The general study is far enough advanced to show that in 'Wisconsin there exists a fauna of the order Cladocera nearly as great as in any European country. Also, it has been dis- covered that there is an unexpectedly close relation between our fauna and that of Europe. Papers embody- ing later results on the Cladocera are found in Vols. VH. and IX. of the Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy. The long interval between the publication of earlier and later papers is due in part to the pressure of College work incident to a growing department, and also partly to the total destruction of all scientific notes and sketches in the Science Hall fire in 188LL.j However, recognizing the fact that one's capacity for work is limited, Prof. Birge has chosen to give his energy primarily to the development of his department. VVhen he entered the University as an instructor, biology had been but recently recognized as of sufficient importance to require the attention of one man. For several years his instructional. work covered both Zoology and botany. So rapidly did the department grow that within a few years it was sub-divided, botany being taken by Vlfilliam F. Trelease, now at the head of the Shaw Botanical Garden at St. Louis. As a consequence of the vigorous teaching of Zoology, the number of students in the department so increased that at the present time two additional men have been obtained to care for them. One must then look for the chief fruits of Prof. Birge's life to the students instructed by him who year after year leave the University to take their part in the world's work. They go bearing with them the scientific spirit. This means that hundreds of young men and women have trained judgments, habits of exact work, and such patience and perseverance as are only developed by following month after month a single line of scientific investigation. The expansion of the Department of Zoology has been a part of the general development of the science of the University, and of the University as a wh ole. Wfhen Dr. Birge came to lVIadison the scientific departments had no separate building, being conhned to a single suite of rooms and EL cellar-like basement in University