Presentation to Princeton University of Portraits of Professor Edwin G. Conklin andProfessor Charles F. W. McClureAuthor(s): Elmer G. ButlerSource: The Scientific Monthly, Vol. 47, No. 3 (Sep., 1938), pp. 280-283Published by: American Association for the Advancement of ScienceStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/16775 .

Accessed: 07/05/2014 21:15

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

.

American Association for the Advancement of Science is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve andextend access to The Scientific Monthly.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.136 on Wed, 7 May 2014 21:15:51 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

280 THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY

PROFESSOR CHARLES FREEMAN WILLIAMS McCLURE

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.136 on Wed, 7 May 2014 21:15:51 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE 281

PRESENTATION TO PRINCETON UNIVERSITY OF PORTRAITS OF PROFESSOR EDWIN G. CONKLIN AND PROFESSOR

CHARLES F. W. McCLURE

ON the afternoon of Baccalaureate Sunday, June 19, 1938, portraits of Dr. Edwini Grant Conklin, Henry Fairfield Osborn professor of biology, emeritus, and of Dr. Charles Freeman Williams McClure, Class of 1877 professor of zool- ogy, emeritus, were presented to Prince- ton University. The occasion marked the fiftieth anni-versary of Professor Mc- Clure's graduation from Princeton and the thirteenth anniversary of Professor Coniklin 's association with Princeton. The portrait of Professor Conklin was a gift to the university frorn many of his colleagues, former students and friends. Dr. McClure 's portrait was the gift of members of the Princeton Class of 1888, colleagues, former students and friends. The two portrailts, which are the work of Mr. John Young-Hunter, have been hung in the main hallway of the Bio- logical Laboratories in Guyot Hall.

Dr. Livingston Farrand, formerly president of Cornell University and a graduate of Princeton in the Class of 1888, represented the donors in present- ing the portrait of his classmate, Dr. McClure, to the university. In part Dr. Farrand spoke as follows:

This is not the time or place, nor am I com- petent to review in detail Dr. McClure 's pro- fessional career and his contributions to bio- logical scieniee. 'It happens that I have been in a position to know something of his work in studying the developmenit and comparative anat- omy of the lymphatic system and the monographs anid papers by himself and Huntington stand as classics in that region of biology. They exhibit that meticulous accuracy of observation and adherence to fact which have always character- ized his work, and they form the basis of his later studies on tihe development, of the vascular system, which field he has made peculiarly his oWIn .

It is, however, another side of Dr. McClure 's career at Prinieetoni that I would emphasize. Something more than learning and mastery of fact is needed to make the great teacher. Cer- tainly a f undamenital aim of education is to

arouse and establish in the studelnt the spirit and habit of inquiry, and that Dr. McClure has accomplished in notable degree. Successive generations of Princetonians have beeni his beneficiaries.

And these rare qualities have been enriched by that straightforward, lovable personality that we, his friends of more than fifty years, know so well. His initerest in others has always beeln genuine and constant, and hundreds of men of standing and influence in their communities look back with gratitude to what they gained from his teaching and friendship in their years as under- graduates on this campus.

Dr. George Packer Berry, a, f ormer studeint of Professor Conklin and a grad- uate of Princeton in the Class of 1921, represented the donors in presenting Dr. Conklin's portrait to the university. A portion of Professor Berry's address was as follows:

It is more than ani honor and a privilege, it is a genuine pleasure, to present to Princeton University, on behalf of his many students, col- leagues and friends, this portrait of Professor Edwin Grant Conklin.

How peculiarly fitting it is that a likeness of Dr. Conklin is to find a permanent place in Guyot Hall. For almost thirty years this has been the scene of his labors. Here he has built a renowned department. Here, as ani incentive for all, his portrait will personify his ideals.

Dr. Conklin 's investigations on cell lineage and the mechanisms of reproductioni are classics and have had a tremendous influence oni the develop- ment of embryology. His studies, characterized by extraordinary accuracy and insight, and pre- sented with clarity and unusual artistry, have contributed enduring pages to the literature of scieniee.

The philosophical implications of biological discoveries and theories for human affairs have always concerned Dr. Conklin. Nowhere has he expressed this interest more forcibly than in the far-sighted paper, "Science and Ethics,' which he read last December as retiring president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. By his extensive writing, even more perhaps by his addresses, he has brought the work of the scientist authoritatively before the public.

As a teacher, also, Dr. Conklin has attained great distinction. The stimulus which he has

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.136 on Wed, 7 May 2014 21:15:51 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

282 THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY

PROFESSOR EDWIN GRANT CONKLIN

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.136 on Wed, 7 May 2014 21:15:51 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE 283

given to the students who have come under his spell is an immeasurable contribution to science. Indeed, there is no one in the whole group of biologists so widely known and so influential as he. His persistent idealism, his earnestness as a lecturer and his clarity of exposition have led: many to share his enthusiasm for the study of living things.

In many respects, his course, "General Biol- ogy 201, 202,'' became the most significant one on the campus. It was frequently voted "most popular" by the undergraduates. His book, " Heredity and Environment, " gave many a more penetrating insight into life. To-day, undergraduate and graduate students alike come in increasing numbers to Guyot. To how many of them has Dr. Conklin lent his ever-ready ear! The artist, Mr. John Young-Hunter, is to be congratulated for having appreciated in him this generous trait, this willingness to listen, and for having portrayed Dr. Conklin in what is to me one of his most characteristic attitudes, that of the sympathetic listener.

As a counselor, Dr. Conklin 's mature advice has been sought far and wide. Since the be- ginning he has been a leader in the organization and conduct of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole. His dominant influence in the American Philosophical Society has brought to that ancient and honorable body a new prestige. He has been president of most of the biological organizations to which he belongs. To each he has given devotedly of his time and energy. His seasoned judgment of men and affairs has profited greatly t'he scientific groups which he has served.

What of Dr. Conklin as a mnan? Little need to refer to this at Princeton! To know him is to love him. That says all. Investigator, teacher, administrator, counselor, human being -who shall say in which capacity his attain- ments are highest ? In all directions his emi- nence is recognized. He has steadfastly ad- hered to the guiding principle of his life: ' And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"

In accepting -the portraits on behalf of Prineeton University, President Harold Willis Dodds said:

I am happy to accept in the name of the uni- versity these portraits of Professor Conklin and Professor McClure, the gifts of grateful students and co-workers of the past who by this method acknowledge their indebtedness to two great teachers. Others are better qualified than I to speak of their contributions to science. I want briefly to refer to them as personalities.

Professor Conklin 's scientific attainments alone have earned him merited fame, but his career has

also been important for other than his gifts as a scientist. Eminent as a pioneer on the frontier of scientific discovery, he has never been satis- fied with any narrow definition of his vocation. Rather has his life emphasized the integral rela- tion among science, philosophy and human wel- fare. Throughout the years in which academic influences were constantly pressing for greater and greater specialization, Professor Conklin kept insisting that science must be conceived in terms of human welfare and that the results of science must be articulated to human problems. Nothing that he has said represents this breadth of outlook better than his recent speech as retir- ing president before the American Association for the Advancement of Science. For myself, I herewith confess publicly my debt to the im- press of Professor Conklin 's thinking upon mine. His position in the world of thought is unique. May he live long to continue his remarkable influence.

The work of Professor McClure likewise can not be measured by his contribution to science in the accepted sense. For more than forty years following his graduation in 1888 he has been a loyal and effective member of our faculty, bringing to it welcome distinction. The results of his work can not be expressed alone by con- crete additions to scientific knowledge. To me his great contribution has been the inspiration of his teaching, kindling in his students the flame of enthusiasm for science and leading them after graduation to continue the pursuit of knowledge in all the broad domain of science. In hundreds of students he has inculcated the discipline of science and respect for it. Literally hundreds of practicing physicians, for example, are to-day better scientists and therefore better physicians for having worked with him. To Professor McClure has been given the true re- ward of the gifted teacher, the assurance that he has transmitted his vision in ever widening circles to younger men equipped to carry f or- ward the search for truth in years to come. As he retires from active service his colleagues ex- tend affectionate regards anid the hope that he may enjoy many years of health and happiness.

The world has need of scientists and teachers who exert positive influences molding forever the lives of their students. This high capacity is revealed in the two we honor to-day, and the uni- versity is proud to have been the instrumentality through which they have impressed themselves upon the lives of those who, desirous that the memory of two beloved teachers be perpetuated here, have given us these beautiful portraits. To the donors and to the artist who has worked with such understanding we extend our thanks for these expressions in oil of two great personalities.

ELMER G. BUTLER CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

BIOLOGY, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.136 on Wed, 7 May 2014 21:15:51 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions