New-York tribune., 1918-12-25
HI. vi. MacCracken,
OF n. Y. University.
Dies i'm Orlando, Fla.
Body of Chancellor Emcr-
titus To Be Brought Here
for Burial, Developed Big.
Institution From College
Special to The Tribune

ORLANDO, Fla, Dec "a. Henry
Mitchell MacCrackcn, chancellor en-
critus Of New York University, died
to-day in hospital here. He was
seventy weight years old. His wife and
eldest son. John H. MacCrackcn, presi-
+ dent of Lafayette College, were with
him. The body will be taken to New
! York. The funeral will be held Friday
morning at ! o'clock in the auditorium
at University Heights The services
Will be conducted by Dr.. George Alex
andcr.
Dr. MacCrNcken was born in Oxford,
Ohio, on September IS. 1910 He was
graduated from Miami University at
tho age OF seventeen, having taken up
his college work at the age Of thirteen.
Later he attended the Nenia, Ohio,
and Princeton Theological scmnarics.
Nearly all of the distinguished cduca-
tors OF the time were clcrgymcn. and
Or. MacCracken was ordained q Prcsby-
tcrian minister. While he was going
through his studies n, Ncnia he also
taught Greek and Latin in the high
school there.
He received the degree Of LII. y. from
Miami University. lie studied abroad
at the Universities of Tubingcn and
Wittonberg, receiving the degree of
d. d. from the last named
He preached in Ohio churches for
eight years. and in 1891 was appointed
professor of philosophy in the Western
University of Pennsy ylvania (now Pitts
burgh University, whence he was
called to New York University in 1884.
Reformed University System
In, CrJor- 70 ,.r, ,4,-l
the full benefit Of Or. MacCrackens
ability without displacing the Rev Dr.
John Hall, who was chancellor at the
time, the council of the university Gre
ated the position of vice chancellor for
DR.. MacCrackcn and gave to that Office
such character and scope as would make
him virtually the executive officer Of
the council.
Accepting the vice -chancel lorship and
the chair of philosophy, DR.. MacCrackcn
applied himself to the task Of develop
ing the unlversity's system of oduca-
ton His work took the form of re
construction, and, stcadfastly supported
by the council, he outlined plans for
radical reform Of the whole educa-
tonal system, which were gradually put
into effect.
In 1891 the Rev Dr. Hall voluntarily
withdrew from the position of chanccl-
lOr and the title was Immediately con
fcrred upon Dr.. MacCracken.
The university then was removed
from Washington Square to University
Heights. where under his guidance, 1t
grew from acollege of 81 students and
one faculty of ten members to
university OF more than 1000 students
and eight faculties, containing 256 ln-
structors.
The university's growth tinan rally
was no less remarkable. in 1891 It had
property valued at S547, 800 and AM
annual income Of S26,273. Ia 1908, the
year before he retired from his posi-
tion, its property was valued at 90
1,321 and its income aggregated
S434,374.
DR. McCracken remained head of the
university until September Is, 1910,
his seventh birthday, when his resig
nation went into effect. He dcDarJed
Immediately on a tour Of the world,
part of which he spent N the study
of educational features and the civil
za.ion of the Far East. He was ac-
oompar led by his wife on the trip
an reformed the following May
His son, Henry MacCracken, has
been pres ident of Nassa' College since
1915 ana lis son, Jonn Henry Mac
Crackan, president of Lafayette Cvl-
l1g fer the same length of time.
Man of Great Vision
In relation to the dean Of DR.. Mac
Cracken, Chancellor Elmer +. Brown
last night made the following state
ment:
OR Henry M MacCracken was
Vice Chancellor of New York Univer-
sity tor six years and Chancellor :or
nineteen years, having resigned in
1910. after rendering services ,of the
greatest value to the institution and
to the public. 1t was during his ad-
mnistration that the University Col
lege, was expanded in to a fully or
ganized university. The resources. Of
the university were increased tcnfold
within this period.
"Chancellor Mac(%lcken was am an
of extraordinary vision and imagina-
ton, of great tenacity of purpose and
viriity in execution, anS the complete
Transformation of New York Univer-
sity under his leadership was public
service that can never be forgotten