Widener and Fogg Exhibits Open Norton Centenary Celebration

Charles Eliot Norton's unique place in the affections of Harvard men was indicated by Le Baron R. Briggs '75, dean of the College during the latter part of Norton's professorship, when he said recently that wherever Harvard men gathered 20 years ago two names were most often heard, those of N. S. Shaler '62, former professor of geology, and of Professor Norton.

Dean Briggs, when asked to characterize Professor Norton as he knew him described the founder of the Fine Arts department as an older man whose attitude towards young men placed them at ease, and whose enthusiastic love of art and literature made his lectures vital instead of dry or academic.

"Professor Norton stirred men's minds to a new appreciation of beauty, and turned their thoughts into new channels," said Dean Brigs. "His lectures were informal talks in a beautiful form; the speech of a highly cultivated gentleman, with a background of knowledge and appreciation of all that is beautiful in the world."

As an example of Professor Norton's hospitality, Dean Briggs told of the Christmas parties given at Shady Hill, Norton's home, to which all students who had been unable to go home for the holidays were invited. President Lowell has carried on the tradition, which it is believed was first instituted by Norton.

"There was a certain graciousness, a kindly attitude which one felt immediately upon coming into Norton's home," said Dean Briggs. "He was a charming host."

Telling of Norton's influence upon his students, Dean Briggs said that men caught from Norton something that they found to no such degree in anyone else. Norton opened their minds to things of which they had not thought before, and awakened a real interest in the subjects he taught. "Norton brought an appreciation of art, literature, and friendship into his students' philosophy of life," concluded Dean Briggs.