p. 154 – Recovery and expansion, 1850-1869

Gallup, a member of the Class of 1843 and a Seminary graduate. Eaton shared the Theological Department with Turney and taught intellectual and moral philosophy in the College. Spear became Professor of Hebrew and Latin and Gallup held the chair of Greek. William T. Biddle, Class of 1859, remembered as the leader in organizing students opposed to Removal and who was now preparing for a missionary career, was appointed tutor in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy for one year. The Trustees also retained Dr. William Mather to lecture in chemistry and geology.

The ablest of the new staff was Beebee. Though originally called to teach logic and English literature he subsequently had classes in sacred rhetoric and ecclesiastical and civil history. As a young man he attracted attention with his handsome strong features, keen eyes, and brown curly hair. Students in the ’50’s, particularly those underclassmen whose stumbling recitations sorely tried his patience, feared him as no other professor. His relations with students improved with the years though the undergraduates always held him in awe. His sensitivity to the correct use of language made taking an essay or oration to him for criticism an ordeal to be remembered. Vulgarity or unrestrained humor in his classes he refused to tolerate. “To lead the student on with alluring gentleness and graceful tact, or to burn out his dross with consuming fire, was equally within his power. He was a master of sarcasm but never used it to hurt.”

President Taylor, in his capacity as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, took over Tutor Biddle’s classes in 1851. At the President’s request, Lucien M. Osborn was brought in to assist in mathematics and to have charge of the Preparatory Department, or Grammar School. A classmate of Professor Beebee’s and for one year a student in the Seminary, he had been principal of the Hamilton and Morrisville Academies. Except for the brief experience as disciplinary officer under President Eaton, his main interest was natural science. He was a very modest man and pitched his instruction at a rather elementary level. His course in astronomy inspired students with “the majesty of the Author of nature and life.” One of them also remembered the exceptionally high spiritual tone he imparted to the chapel services which he occasionally conducted.

The most noteworthy of the post-Removal faculty was Ebenezer Dodge. His selection in 1853 to succeed Edmund Turney as Professor

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