OP ARTS AND SCIENCES : MAY 24, 1870. 225 



1825. For a year he had charge of the academy at Lexington, and 

 was then appointed tutor in mathematics in the College. In 1827 he 

 commenced civil engineering with Loammi Baldwin, and, in the same 

 year, under James Hayward, was employed on the preliminary survey 

 of the Boston and Providence Railroad. Relinquishing this business 

 on account of a severe illness, he in 1828 opened a private school for 

 boys, in Boston, and the next year was elected sub-master of the Eng- 

 lish High School. In 1837 he was elected master of the school, and 

 continued to hold the position to the time of his death. 



As master of the English High School, Mr. Sherwin gained his 

 highest distinction. The best work of his life was here. He inspired 

 his pupils with his own love of thoroughness, and taught them, not 

 more by precept than by example, to think for themselves, and to, aim 

 at a noble manhood. Under his charge the school ranked among the 

 best in the country. Indeed, Mr. Fraser, in his report to the British 

 Parliament on the schools of this country, says : " The English High 

 School struck me as the model school of the United States." 



In all educational matters Mr. Sherwin took an active interest. He 

 aided in the establishment of the American Institute of Instruction 

 and of the Massachusetts State Teachers' Association, and became 

 President of each of these bodies. He was also one of the founders 

 of the Massachusetts Teacher, and for several years had charge of its 

 mathematical department. He shared in the organization of the Mas- 

 sachusetts Institute of Technology, and, as a member of its govern- 

 ment, was one of its most active and earnest promoters. 



Mr. Sherwin wrote various addresses and lectures on educational 

 subjects, and contributed several papers to the Mathematical Monthly. 

 In connection with Mr. S. P. Miles, he published a collection of Math- 

 ematical Tables. He was the author, also, of two works on Algebra, — 

 an " Elementary Treatise on Algebra," and a " Common School Al- 

 gebra," — both of which have long held a high place in our schools. 



Mr. Sherwin was elected a Fellow of this Academy in 1836. In 

 1868 he was elected a member of the New England Historic-Genea- 

 logical Society. 



Mr. Sherwin died, very suddenly, July 23, 1869. On that day, 

 not feeling quite well, he consulted a p'hysician, walked home in a 

 cheerful mood, and, after some conversation with his family and a 

 walk in his garden, went to his room, took a book, and in a moment 

 departed. In all the relations of life Mr. Sherwin sustained a hi°-h 



vol. viii. 29 



