New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-01
OBITUARY.
PROFESSOR GEORGE NJ. LANE.

PROFESSOR GEORGE NJ LANE
Cambridge. Mass. June 3o-George NJ Lane
Pope professor emeritus OF Latin at Harvard Uni
ysrsity died at his home in this city this morning.
aged seventy-three years. He had been IN III
health Tor more than year.
The death Of Professor George Martin Lane re-
moves IF the most distinguished classical
scholars and phologists that America has pro-
duced. and one Of the best beloved and most notod
Of that older group Of Harvard men, now almost
gone, who have reflected the most lustre upon the
Cambridge University. Professor Lanes name Is
associated I'm the minds Of older Harvard graduates
with such Agassiz. Lowell. Child Gray Cooke
and Norton. In his fortythree years OF service he
left probably deep impression on as great
body Of graduates any OF the great scholars and
teachers who have lahored at Harvard.
George Martin Lane born in Charlestown.
Mass December q. 1923. He received his early
education In the schools of Cambridge. to which
city his parents removed when he was boy. and
was graduated from Harvard in the class of 1876
Among his CLASSMATES were Professor charles
Eliot Norton. Professor Francis j. Child and Sen
atcr George Frisbie IIoar. After teaching for a
year in Harvard. Mr. Lane went to Germany.
where he studied four years at the universities OF
Berlin and G0ttngeE taking tho degree Of Phi. ID
from the later institution. ON his return TO Cam
bridge In 1851 &c appointed professor of Latin
in Harvard University. and in 1863 elected Pope
professor of Latin This professorship ne resigned
1
upon elected him Pope professor OF Latin emeritus.
with A resolution marking their Of the high
value of his services to the university ana TO cas-
steal learning. and at the same time conferred on
| him the degree Cf III. ID.
Professor Lanes work at Harvard exorted. for
the long period during which he carried II on a
constant influence upon the instruction OF Latin,
not only within the college. but upon the schools
throughout the country. He made IL a llvng
rather than a dead language to the students In
his courses all of whom. old and young. have held
! him in affectionate and kindly remembrance lie
was an active worker ir contributing to the great
progress in Latin pathological knowledge that has
| beon made in the last half century He was not
vouminous writer. but such essays as have APP
pcared from his pen on pathological subjects nave
best known IL the advocating the introduction
! of tho Latin system of pronunciation, now almost
| of this country-a result which was largely due 10
his Efforts For many years Professor Ian MA
| 10 make final and authoritatlv" treatment OF
the su6ject and the fre9Ieni reHisioms OF os ana
subject OF jest among MS associates an! Iriends
has long been in type; and 1t is understood 10 be
| forthcoming from the press asa posthumous pup
But Professor Lanes work was not confined tG
| teaching Latin. In broader sense he iabored
good literature OF all sorts, and especially OF pure
and vigorous English. in which he set them con-
lis rich sense Of humor was source Of much
| enjoyment to MS friends as well as 70 nlinseH
| one OF the few occasions when Il was shared by
| wider public offered by the song, once popular
| and sim remembered. OF The Lone Fishball.'
which he perpetrated at a meeting OF the Harvard
| faculty as a Joke OF his colleagues. II
| chronicles the colleagues adventures In Boston
restaurant with only money enough In his poke
to admit Of ordering one fshbal, and the waiter
announcement that they gave no bread with on
| Gshball" In some way the song got out. was pub
| lishod and became widely popular.
| For snort time Professor Lane acted as reg
| istrar Of Harvard College. then as dean OF th'
! faculty. His first wife Miss Gardiner. o
GARDENERS Island. They had three chdren--Gardi
ner VI Lane member Of the banking firm o
| Lee flgginson q Co. OF Boston, Louisa Lane
now Mrs " b. Van Rensselaer,. of Albany, an'
| Miss ". X Lane an artist Of promise. who die
| not long ago Mrs Lane died In 1876. Professo
| Lanes second wife Mrs. Clark. OF Cambridge
! a sister OF Gamalie Bradford AZ the time or nj
| election as professor emeritus by the corporation
| in 1897. Professor Lane was requested TO continu
| 10 give instruction 10 advanced students nj hi
| pleasure though without being under Obligation
| 10 do so for any definite portion OF the academi