Ursinus College - Ruby Yearbook (Collegeville, PA)

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OH MON A IIO WILLI OMESStR I k O raoritioo or miiotOf ' 8

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en Dr. iSjnrutin JOillia Drraarr. $Ni.D. Professor of Philosophy at Ursinus College Eh tSuLiif is respectfully dedicated by (T li r I a a a u f 1 U 1 1 as a token of esteem

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JimfrsBtir finratin Stilts Ditsbit. |Jlt.D. ORATIO II.I.IS DRESSER was born in Yarmouth. Maine, of native | arcnts. Not strong physically ami of an excitable temperament, bis early schooling was somewhat irregular. Leaving school at the age of thirteen because of the failure of his father's health, he was apprenticed to a telegraph operator m a railway station. Two years later he held a |x sition as o] erator and agent in a small station on the Central Pacific Railroad at seventy-live dollars per month. I le found little opportunity for reading and having few associates, save among railroad men. lie gave up this position. After spending several years in a desultory manner, during which time, however, he cultivated his taste for literature and read many authors. I)r. Dresser secured a | osition in a ncw pa| er office in Itoston. He worked up through the various departments to a rcsjHinsible ami lucrative jxtsition. but resigned after a few years because of a moral crisis, as he says: it did not seem possible to sustain the boasted circulation of the pajier and at the same time he true to the ethical principle of truth-telling. A short trip to h'uro| e during the summer of 1888 opened a large field of interests and led to a desire for a university education. His growing acquaintance with the world of books led to the discovery of philosophical interests. The result was a rather clalsorate plan for several years of study in Harvard I’niversitv with the Doctor's degree in view. A short period of preparation under a private tutor culminated in his matriculation in Harvard I'nivcrsity in 1891. During the Junior year, the death of his father and an ensuing illness which lasted for several months, caused him to leave the University. After regaining his health he began lecturing on applied philosophy. In 1895. he published his first book, The Power of Silence. This proved to he one of a series of volumes on applied philosophy, appearing aliout a year apart until 1912. Human Efficiency living the last of these. The | ower of Silence has been reprinted fifteen times and has been translated into German. ' Living by the Spirit has been reprinted ten times, has been translated into German and has been printed in raised letters for the blind. In Hjoi, Dr. Dresser resumed study in Harvard and then as a graduate student took the . It. Degree out of course.” in 1905. with honorable mention three times in philosophy, Magna Gum l.aude; the A. M. Degree in the same year, and the Pli.D. Degree in 1907. From 1902 11. Dr Dresser was assistant in the history of philosophy and ethics in Harvard University, Radcliffc College, and the I harvard Summer School. I le was. for a time, president of the Harvard Philosophical Club, and of the Metaphysical Club, of Itoston. lie has been connected with several leading philosophical journals and has lectured ex tensively both in his native country and abroad. Since coming to Ui sinus. Dr. Dresser has gained the respect and esteem of the entire student IkmIv. His department is one of the best in the college. Not only is he esteemed as a teacher, but his courteous treatment to all. and his wise counsel have won for him a place in the hearts of the students which could not ! • easily tilled by another. 9