The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-10-12
REMARKABLE CAREER BEING
FINISHED BY Or. GILDERSLEEVE
RAITIMORE

BALTIMORE Special Vir-
orous I'm mind and body after nfty-
i've years service as one OF the
worlds foremost professors OF Greek,
DR.. Basil Lanneau Gildersleeve, who
has been a member of the faculty OF
the Johns Hopkins University since
Its foundation in 1876, will celebrate
October 23d his eightieth birthday
In spite of his fourscore years, DR..
Gtldersleeve is young" and his
sparkling wit, which makes alive the
most technical of his writings upon
the subjects which have brought him
fame at home and abroad. IS as keen
and spontaneous as when he drst
chose Baltimore as his place o. abode.
I do not expect TO celebrate my
birthday with any ceremony" he said
yesterday when seen at his home,
1902 North Calvert Street, after he
had completed a busy day at the uni
versity. Il am looking for my son.
Raleigh G. Gildersleeve, of New York.
and my daughter, Mrs. Gardiner Mar
tin Lane. Of Boston. to spend that
day with me-"
Nearly a Reporter.
me conversation drifted to some OF
the big tasks which DR.. Gildersleeve
had undertaken and brought to a sue
cssstul conclusion in the half century
or his career as professor, and the
subject of his writings was referred
to.
do you know" he remarked. that
came very near being q newspaper
man instead Of a professor? As
matter or fact, / have done consider
able work for newspapers and maya
zines have even done reporting
but not interviewing. I was too mod
est for that" And his eyes twinkled
at the suggestion.
1T was just before I accepted the
chair Of Greek" he continued. ''at
the University Of Virginia in 1856.
After being graduated from Princeton
went to Europe and studied for
three years. When I returned to this
country, 1 had a strong inclination to
take up journalism as a career.
About this time I had an invita-
ton to become editor of a Democratic
newspaper in Springfield, Mass. While
L was considering this offer I had the
opportunity of becoming a member
of the faculty OF the University OF
Virginia, and so my life's work was
decided"
He began writing while still in his
native State-South Carolina. His
father. the late Benjamin Gildersleeve.
OF Charleston. was editor OF a religious
paper, and DR.. Gildersleeve. then a
young man, frequently contributed to
that periodical. While at the Uni
versity OF Virginia he wrote for a
newspaper In Richmond.
Il even wrote a novel once" he re-
marked remtniscently. II was then
twenty-three years old. 1t was never
published, and the manuscript I still
nave 90od nave written some poetry, too.
to periodicals and published them in
book form under the title OF Essays
ana STUDIES. Some OF my verse is
From literature d.. GldersIeeve
lri TO the topic of the Civil War.
University Of Virginia Were e4em onf
from service in the army. but the Pro-
lessor said he usually spent his va
cations at the front" HIS career as a
Confederate soldier was varied Prf-
Vate. lieutenant and captain. he was
In many engagements.
erner. and his Greed OF the Old South"
written for the Atlantic Monthly was
hailed with enthusiasm by readers
throughout all the Southland.
SSOOt-PhyEicaI And Political,
what do you think OF the political
situation in Baltimore?" he was asked.
government
He considered a moment the change
or subject, then replied:
really have not studied the COM
mission plan, but 1 believe that any
thing would be better than the plan we
nave now. l am opposed to a political
the whole atmosphere is saturated with
soop-physical and political"
Decline of the Classics.
DO you approve OF the modern sys-
tenn OF education in the universities
and the public schools?"
The great trouble with the new
scheme OF education" he said, sis that
~ attempts to educate without sfrort
They don't want the students TO be
hurt. That, perhaps. accounts for the
decline in popularity OF the classics.
But / believe that the study OF GrasH
and Latin will increase"
DIR. Shepherds Tribute
DR.. Henry E. Shepherd, in his recent
~ published Representative Authors
or Maryland" pays a high tribute TO
DR.. Gildersleeve.
Professor Gildersleeve," he saya
may be regarded as the foremost rep
resentatiVe OF classical scholarship in