AUGUSTUS LOWELL. 047 



almost from its start. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was 

 fouuded in 1861, chiefly through the instrumentality of Prof. William B. 

 Rogers. To the same eminent mind it owed its early success. Measure 

 of the man's executive ability in the first place, its success was in the, 

 long run the sign of his forethought in founding it. A scfiool of technol- 

 ogy was exactly what the American genius had demanded for many years 

 in vain. It seems strange that no one should have heeded this unmis- 

 takable cry of nature before; but men are prone to being thus strangely 

 deaf, till an interpreter arises. For a century the American has been 

 noted for his innate inventiveness and general ingenuity, and has been 

 equally noted for the untrained character of his craft. In some things 

 this did well enough, but in the higher branches it left a good deal to be 

 desired. To supplement natural aptitude with proper training was thus 

 the one thing needful. To think of it was so simple a matter as to 

 require a master mind for the thought. It was a piece of educational 

 acumen of the highest order. And it has borne its inevitable result. 

 But though it was destined to great and permanent success it would be 

 contrary to common sense to suppose that the move was fully appre- 

 ciated, from the very start. On the contrary, had it not been for its 

 founder the institution would probably have gone under. 



After Mr. Rogers' death much came to devolve upon Mr. Lowell ; and 

 since then, that is for the last quarter of a century, the policy of the 

 Institute has been intimately associated with him. Elected a member of 

 the corporation in 1873, he was chosen a member of the executive com- 

 mittee in 1883, and was kept upon it to the day of his death. During 

 his term of service were chosen four presidents, and I need only mention 

 the name of General F. A. Walker, who was the longest incumbent, to 

 suggest how wisely made these choices were. But the work of the 

 committee did not end with the selection of the executive ; as its name 

 implies, it was itself a part of that executive and its function was con- 

 tinual. As the senior member of the committee Mr. Lowell's force was 

 felt in every portion of the policy pursued. Not a measure was passed 

 which had not been influenced by his opinion. His judicious advice was 

 fully appreciated by General Walker. Indeed the two men were natural 

 complements to each other, General Walker with his brilliant, engaging 

 personality, and Mr. Lowell with his uncommon judgment and invincihle 

 determination. 



The position taken by the Institute under this leadership is well known. 

 The institution has quadrupled in size, and what is far more important, 

 has more than quadrupled in prestige. It is recognized to-day not only 



