1206 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



class and confer the degrees. This was his last public service to the institution over 

 which he had presided for 24 years. 



During his presidency the college developed from an institution with a small 

 inn nber of students, few buildings, and an inadequate teaching force to its present 

 large attendance, ample equipment, and high position as an educational institution. 

 Much of this progress was due to Doctor Atherton's indefatigable energy and intelli- 

 gent interest in the development of technical education. 



Doctor Atherton was born in Boxford, Mass., June 20, 1837. At the age of 

 L2 his father died, leaving him with his mother and sister only partially provided 

 for. His first employment was in a cotton mill, and later upon a farm. He worked 

 his way through Philips Exeter Academy and Yale College, being graduated from 

 the latter institution in 1863. He served in the civil war from 1861-63 as lieutenant 

 and captain in the Tenth Connecticut Volunteers; was a teacher in the Albany Boys' 

 Academy, 1863-67; professor in St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., 1867-68, and in the 

 University of Illinois, 1868-69; was professor of political economy in Rutgers College, 

 New Jersey, 1869-82; and president of The Pennsylvania State College, 1882-1906. The 

 degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by Franklin and Marshall College in 1883. 

 He was one of the original organizers of the Association of American Agricultural 

 Colleges and Experiment Stations, and was the first president of the organization. 



