GEORGE W. ATHERTON. 193 



of public education, and to the training of teachers for this pur- 

 pose. The report of this commission, which was largely his 

 work, was recognized as the most comprehensive and thorough 

 treatment of the subject up to that time. In 1891 he was for 

 the second time appointed on the Board of visitors to the United 

 States Naval Academy and in 1895 he was appointed a member 

 of the College and University Council of Pennsylvania, of which 

 he continued a member until his death. 



Dr. Atherton was an indefatigable worker, never sparing 

 himself in the service of the college or of the larger public, and 

 he inspired his associates with like zeal. He had the courage 

 and poise of the born leader of men. Never dismayed or discon- 

 certed by opposition or attack, accepting defeat as the stepping 

 stone to future success, with an open mind welcoming every 

 suggestion from others yet with supreme confidence in his own 

 carefully considered conclusions, he bore his great responsibil- 

 ities with a quietness and simplicity which were an inspiration 

 to his associates. He was an optimist in the best sense, believ- 

 ing profoundly that right is stronger than wrong and that high 

 and worthy ideals must ultimately triumph, and he showed his 

 faith by his works. 



HENRY PRENTISS ARMSBY. 



