HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



Denison University was founded before the era of the Natural 

 Sciences as an important part of college education began, and there- 

 fore not much can be said of scientific studies at Denison in its earlier 

 history. The primary object in the minds of its founders had been to 

 make provision for educating Ministers of the (iospel, in order to facil- 

 itate the evangelization of Ohio's rapidly increasing population. It 

 was recognized, however, that the young minister needed something 

 more than a purely theological training; and what the predominating 

 character of that additional study was to be was indicated in the name 

 chosen for the school, —The Granville Literary and Theological In- 

 stitution. 



For more than twenty years from the beginning the Faculty rolls 

 show no closer approach to a recognition of the Natural Sciences than 

 the title Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. An exam- 

 ination of the catalogues, however, shows that one term's work was 

 generally given to Chemistry and one to Geology and Mineralogy. It 

 is evident that these branches were taught as extras by the Professors in 

 other departments, and under such circumstances the instruction 

 must have been confined largely to text-book work. 



In 1853, a Professorship of Natural Sciences was instituted, but 

 disappeared after a single year, the incumbent. Professor Fletcher O. 

 Marsh, being transferred to the chair of Mathematics and Natural Phil- 

 osophy. During this year, how^ever, Botany, Anatomy and Physiology 

 were added to the curriculum, and a separate Scientific Course was 

 published, with the promise that the degree of Bachelor of Science 

 w-ould be conferred upon those by whom it should be taken. It was 

 stated that this course was " designed to furnish a suitable education 

 to those who are fitting themselves for business men, for engineers, or 

 to engage in mercantile or mechanical ])ursuits." This course was one 

 year shorter than the Classical, and contained no work in any language 

 other than English. 



