MEMOIR OF OLIVER MARCY 541 



Doctor Marcy's influence was most widely felt as a teacher. At one 

 period of his connection with the university nearly every student in the 

 institution took work with him, and in after life they remembered him 

 with warm regard, so that at the time of his death he had a stronger hold 

 on the alumni than any other man on the faculty. 



As a lecturer he was interesting in manner and knew how to arouse 

 enthusiasm. His voice was strong and clear and his style deliberate and 

 positive. He was approachable to students, always meeting them in a 

 frank, cordial manner that impressed them with his kindliness of spirit. 

 He was not critical in small things, but had a broad charity that drew 

 men to him. It is sometimes said that he had little sense of humor. If 

 that be the fact, he often used the little that he did possess. In geology 

 each student was required to make a collection of twenty typical rocks 

 and present them for examination at the close of the course. One young 

 man inherited his from a predecessor in the course and presented it to 

 the Doctor for examination. Professor Marcy said, "Yes, Mr S., I 

 always give that collection a grade of seventy per cent." A classical 

 scholar himself, he appreciated the humor of some of the claims of 

 teachers of the classics. When a term of Greek or Latin origin was em- 

 ployed in geology he would say "Who can tell the meaning of that 

 term ? " And no one answering, u Where are some of those students of 

 the classics? Now is their opportunity ! " 



There was little self-seeking in his nature, and losing himself in his 

 work and in the interests of others he found his own highest good ; for 

 few men have been more fortunate in receiving all through life the re- 

 spect and love due them. Many honors came to him. He was a mem- 

 ber of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Association for the Advancement 

 of Science, a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, received the 

 degree of LL. D. from Chicago University in 1873, was dean of the Col- 

 lege of Liberal Arts of Northwestern University for twenty years, and 

 twice held the position of president. A fossil oak (Quercus marcyana) 

 and a hill in Massachusetts are named in his honor. Expressions of 

 appreciation were not withheld until after his death. He was con- 

 stantly receiving them, and on his seventy-eighth birthday the alumni 

 presented his protrait to the university. The occasion was an impress- 

 ive one. The beautiful library-room, adorned with the university royal 

 purple and with flowers and brilliant with electric lights, had been ar- 

 janged with tables, around which were gathered about two hundred 

 guests. The white-haired, fine-looking gentleman whose birthday was 

 being celebrated sat beside the president of the universit}^, and after 

 several speeches, which expressed the respect and love of the students, 



