The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-10
BOY
is AFTER |SPH. D.
Eighteen Year-Old Norbert Vie
ner Is Wonder of Older
Philosophers.
HEALTHY. NORMAL YOUTH
HEALTHY, NORMAL YOUTH
Declines to BE interviewed, but
His Father Talks for
Him.
Especial to The Times Dispatch. ]

Especial to The Times Dispatch.]
Boston. Mass, March "a quiet cor
ncr OF the temporary Harvard Library,
pile OF musty lore, behind which may
be discerned slight. serious faced
boy. peering through big spectacleS at
an open page OF n heavy tome, and you
have found Norbert weiner. the
eighteen-yea master OF arts. who
Is preparing his thesis for the degree
OF doctor of philosophy. He is the
son OF Professor Lee Weiner, OF Har-
ward
"'rhe Algebra of Logic" is the title
or the thesis which Americas youngest
candidate for 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
philosophers and mathematicians are
now occupying the mind OF the young
Cambridge lad, whose contemporaries
are still in the high school.
You can't always find Norbert Wei
ner in the library or study He IS a
healthy. normal youngster physically
whose parents arc anxious for their
successful offspring.
The boy entered Tufts at eleven and
graduated at fourteen There were
many who predicted ne would explode
from excessive knowledge, but he has
gone on with no Ill effects to health
or strength. and has been studying four
years In Harvard since his A. B., pre-
pairing for an a. NJ and PHI. ID.
Professor Weiner is pleasant man.
with dropping brown inustache and
shock of black hair.
1t Is no USE" he said to reporter
who asked TO talk to his son. Nor
bert won't talk to anybody. He is
very shy OF reporters and photogra-
piers, for they have been pursuing him
for years. 1t is his misfortune that his
unusual attachments have brought him
into the public eye. 1t is not good for
a boy TO be written UP in newspapers
and magazines"
would you object TO his being in
ieryiewcdT'
Il would not oppose il. but I am
glad that he is unwilling to talk Be-
sidee, he Is not at home Just now
What would you like to know espe-
cially?"
What does he expect TO do when
he gets his Phi. Dr.
He Will continue his studies He
is very young and has plenty OF time.
He may put in year or two in Ger
many or Italy, with the philosophers
of those countries"
Then. after his extraordinary ca
teer. will he mark time for three or
four years. until the other boys OF his
own age catch up with him.
by no menns," replied the profess
Hci. Tic VIII continue 10 study ana
perhaps will teach. The store of
knowledge Is inexlaustible"
But to what use Will he put his
Knowledge?
That I do not know. He has not
begun to specialize as yet shall not
interfere In his choice of a career He
may teach think IL very likely that
he Will teach for II while, although ac
may not make ii his lifework. He
may even remain at Harvard another
year. There is a famous English phi
losopher coming to teach at Harvard
next season. Professor Russell. of OK
ford. He may study with him for a
while"
Professor Weiner disclaims any idea
that his son is q prodigy. Any other
studious boy could attain the same re-
suits. under the same circumstnn ces.
lie declares.