The Washington herald., 1913-03-10
NORBERT WIENER
STILL STUDYING
Harvard Prodigy Expects to
Absorb knowledge for
Years to Come.
NOW SEEKING HIS PHI. D.
"The Algebra Of Logic Title Of
Thesis He Expects to Bring
Him Laurels.
NOW SEEKING HIS PHI. D.

Boston. Mass, March "A quiet cor
ner of the temporary Harvard Library,
pile of musty lore behind which may
be discerned a slight. serious-faced boy,
pecring through big spectacles at an
open page of a heavy tome, and you
have found Norbert Wiener, the eighteen
year-old master of arts, who is prepar-
of philosopy. He is the son of Prof Lee
Wiener. of Harvard.
The Algebra of Logic" is the title of
the thesis which Americas youngest can
didate for a Phi. D. hopes will bring him
the degree that is associated in the lay
mind with gray boards and bowed
shoulders.
The problems that vexed Euclid and
Aristotle and Archimedes and other
Greek philosophers and mathematicians
are now occupying the mind Of the
young Cambridge lad. whose contem-
poraries are still in the high school.
You cannot always find Norbert Vein
er in the library or study. He is a
healthy, normal youngster physically,
whose parents are now in the full joy
of their successful experiment.
Enters College, Aged Eleven.
The boy entered Tufts College at
! eleven and graduated at fourteen.
There were many who predicted he
would explode from excessive knowledge,
but he has gone on with no i'll effects
to health or strength, and has been
studying four years in Harvard since his
A. B., preparing for an \. NJ. and
Phi. ID.
Prof. Wciner is a pleasant gentleman,
with Il dropping brown mustachc and a
shock of black hair.
1T is no use" he said to reporter
who. asked % talk to his son. Norbert
won't talk to anybody. He is very shy
of reporters and photographers. for they
have been pursuing him for years. 1t is
his misfortune that his unusual attain
mcnts have brought him into the public
/ eye. 1t is not good for a boy to be
! written up in newspapers and maga-
| zines
Would you object to his being inter-
viewed?"
Il would not oppose it, but am glad
that he is unwilling to talk. Besides. he
is not at home Just now. What would
| you like to know especially
May study in Germany.
What does he expect to do when he
gets his Ph. D.?''
He will continue his studies. He Is
very young ana mas plenty OF tlnle- lie
may put in a year or two in Germany or
| Italy. with the philosophers Of those
countries"
Then after his extraordinary career he
| will mark time for three or four years
| until the other boys his own age catch
| up with him?''
by no means,' replied the professor.
| He will continue to study and perhaps
| will teach. The store of knowledge is in
| exhaustible."
But to what use will he put his
| knowledge?'
THAT do not know. He mas not
| begun to specialize as yet. / shall not
| interfere in his choice of a career. He
| may teach. / think it very likely that
| he will teach for a while, although he
! may not make it his life work. He may
even remain at Harvard another year.
| There Is famous English philosopher
coming to teach at Harvard next season.
| Prof Russell, Of xford. He may study
with him for a while"
Prof. weiner disclaims any idea that
his son is a prodigy. Any other studiouS