University of Wyoming - WYO Yearbook (Laramie, WY)

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T HE i vv x O BIT:. m... ... , ; .i : .-•::. JlL ., ..... f . j In jMemonam W ILLIAM HARLOW REED was born near Hartford, Connecticut, June 9th, 1 848. He passed away at Laramie, Wyoming, April 24th, 1915. In the death of Mr. Reed the University loses one who has long been a familiar figure in this College community, a man generally known throughout the state, and a scientist more or less wel ' known to geclogkts and paleontologists in all lands. His early envir- onment scarcely brought him into contact with the academic world, but his innate aptitudes kept him in close contact with nature. He was a student and although in his earlier life he was rarely within college walls, yet he became an edu- cated man. He came West at an early age and this part of the story of his life is singularly full of interest. He had a share in the stirring events connected with the settlement of the Western States. As government messenger, scout, and Indian fighter, he displayed rare judgment, and intrepid bravery. In this pioneer work he played a mans part in a ma nly way. His scientific career, foreshadowed by the trend of his self-education, was inaugu- rated when he became field assistant to Professor Mudge, in Kansas, though the first real impetus in his life ' s work was received in a somewhat similar position with Professor C. C. Marsh of Yale, who was then doing paleontological work in Wyoming. The intimate association with these master minds in a large measure overcame the handicap that lack of technical training gave him. Professor Marsh opened the way for h ' m to a college course, but his intense interest in the field work soon brought him again into the West, where he continued to collect at intervals for various institutions. In 1 894 he became associated with the University of Wyoming. With only two comparatively short interruptions he continued in this relationship until his death. Mr. Reed was singularly expert in the location of fossil quarries, many of which he developed extensively. Some of this valuable material he himself studied and restored, but he shared many of his studies and much of his material with others. New genera and species were disclosed in every season ' s work, and among the large numbei of marvelous fossil remains thus brought to light, not a few were named in honor of their discoverer, by his distinguished co-workers. Space permits only the barest outline of his fruitful labors, but the evidences of his work are found in many of the paleontological museums of this continent and to some extent in these of the old world. Primarily, of course, those choice specimens of prehis- toric life that will commemorate his name and testify to his untiring zeal are found in the Museum of the University of Wyoming. With high ideals cf morality, a keen sense of right and justice, a firm belief in a supreme being, he was a friend to those who needed him; a citizen of the highest worth; a scientist whose indutry and originality contributed largely to the development of a unique institution known as The Museum of the University of Wyoming.

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THE WYO Ok, -- n— i — i ; » ' ,V -m ! i,; ' •■ ' • ' • P j. ., tin f ' ! .i u ut :: .:;. fc; Hit iHnmuimu Carruth ' s well-known stanza had in it an appeal for Mr. Reed and a copy of it was usually in place above his desk. A fire-mist and a planet, A crystal and a cell; A jelly-fish and a saurian, And caves where cavemen dwell ; Then a sense of law and beauty And a face turned from the clod ; Some call it evolution, Others call it God.

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THE WYO SENIORS