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his life, one of the most successful private schools in the city. Moreover, his 
ripe scholarship and scientific knowledge soon made him a prominent factor in 
the intellectual activities of the city. He became closely identified with the work 
of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, being its president during the last four 
years of his life. He was also a prominent member, and, at one time, President 
of the Illinois State Microscopical Society, to whose publications he contributed 
several important scientific papers. It was in The Lens, the organ of this So- 
ciety, that he published his valuable notes on the “Flora of Chicago and Vi- 
cinity.” 
Professor Babcock’s ability as a botanist was thoroughly appreciated by his 
co-laborers in the same science. His knowledge of the subject was extensive, 
varied and accurate. He was not only well acquainted with our own flora, but 
had a wide general knowledge of botany besides. As a collector and observer he 
was indefatigable, and he corresponded and exchanged extensively both with 
home and foreign botanists. His herbarium specimens, always prepared with the 
most scrupulous neatness and care, have enriched many collections both in 
America and abroad. The letters from famous botanists received in acknowledg- 
ment of specimens sent by him, frequently allude in most complimentary terms 
to the careful preparation of his specimens. He had, moreover, unusual skill in 
the use of the microscope, and his knowledge of the minute structure of plants 
was extensive and thorough. To those who were acquainted with his attain- 
ments, but not thoroughly so with the modesty of the man, it was a source of 
wonder that there was such a wide gap between what he knew and what he pub- 
lished. He was at the opposite extreme from that class who, with half knowledge, 
rush into print. He shrank from publicity and was too conscientious to publish 
anything except as the result of the most patient and thorough investigation. 
He was besides a devoted and busy teacher, and was burdened not only with the 
management of a large school, but much of the time also with other enterprises 
that made large demands upon his time and attention. In this connection should 
be mentioned his relations to the unfortunate Chicago Botanical Garden. In 1874 
this enterprise was started under the auspices of the South Park Commission, 
and very naturally Professor Babcock’s prominence and recognized ability as a 
botanist led to his selection for the directorship of the garden. He immediately 
resigned his lectureship in the College of Pharmacy and entered upon his new 
work with characteristic energy and zeal. Mr. H. W. S. Cleveland, at that time 
the landscape gardener of the park, says of him: “Mr. Babcock entered at once 
upon the active duties of preparation and surprised me by the display of such ex- 
ecutive power as I had rarely met with in men not engaged in the active pursuits 
of life. He was confined to his school so continuously as to leave him but little 
leisure, yet he found time to inform himself thoroughly of all the latest improve- 
ments in the construction and heating of plant houses, and a building was erected 
under his direction for the purpose, which might serve as a model of economy of 
form and adaptation to its object.” With the advice and consent of the Board of 
Management he prepared a circular and sent to all the principal botanical gardens 
of the world and to prominent individual botanists, stating the plans of the man- 
agement and soliciting contributions of seeds, cuttings, living plants, herbarium 
specimens, etc. , for the gardens, and holding out the inducement that, in return 
for such contributions, suitable returns of native plants would be made at an 
early day. Responses to this circular were so cordial and generous and Professor 
Babcock’s industry so indefatigable that in an astonishingly short time there had 
grown up in South Park a botanic garden which gave promise of rapidly taking 
