Bliss Perry Observes Eightieth Birthday

Telegrams, flowers, and congratulatory messages and an influx of friends and admirers poured into 5 Clemont Circle yesterday in honor of the eightieth birthday of Bliss Perry, Francis Lee Higginson Professor of English Literature, emeritus.

Noted as an author of his own reminiscences, "And Gladly Teach," published five years ago, Professor Perry is perhaps best known to Harvard students for his course on English literature, English 41.

He made this course on Emerson and Carlyle so popular through his lively lectures that it was found necessary to limit it to 300 students. Except for his famous lecture on Byron, he was never known to repeat a lecture, and he always left ten minutes at the end of the hour for a question period.

At the end of his first lecture here, the students acknowledged the masterpiece by applauding. At the beginning of the next class, however, the noted teacher and scholar openly thanked them for the applause but requested that they refrain from such actions in the future.

His mind still as active as ever, he continues to study literature and takes pride in keeping up with current events. He always took an active interest in politics and was a personal friend of Grover Cleveland and Woordrow Wilson.

Except for a small party of close friends and relatives last night, and the numerous messages of congratulations, yesterday was just one more day for Professor Perry.