The Chancellor’s Prizes in English Literature
In 1883, the Chancellor established two annual prizes in English Literature, one of $20 and one of $15. These were awarded at the end of the sophomore year to students of “first and second rank,” based on their work in literature over the first two years of study. The students were selected by a committee consisting of “the Professor of English, the Chancellor, and a third person whom these two may select.” In the 1880s, the Chancellor’s Literature Prize winners were:
Joseph Croshor Boggs, a veteran of the First World War, became a leading Pittsburgh physician.
Samuel Eckeberger Duff, who completed both his BA and MA at the university, became a railroad and bridge engineer, working for Northern Pacific and the Riter-Conley Manufacturing Company.
Edward E. Eggers became head librarian of Allegheny Library on Pittsburgh’s North Side. He served in that capacity for over twenty years, during which time he made numerous improvements to the library’s function, not least an expansion of the circulation system and the installation of an organ for public concerts.
Elmer Ellsworth Fulmer became a well-known Pittsburgh lawyer.
James Delevan Heard was a Major in the Medical Officers Reserve Corps during WW1. For 60 years, he had a medical practice in the city of Pittsburgh. He served as the Chief Medical Director of the Elizabeth Steel Magee Hospital and Chief of Staff at St. Francis Hospital. He installed one of the first cardiographs to be used in the U.S.
Alexander H. Holliday, member of the class of 1887, went on to own and edit the Pennsylvania Western for two years of its seven-year run.
Charles Morris Johnson acquired a number of patents on behalf of the Crucible Steel Company of America. He published Rapid Methods for the Chemical Analysis, a standard reference in his field.
William Andrew Johnson published The Independent in Wilkinsburg. He later went to work for the New York Journal and the New York Press. He served on the editorial staff of the New York Herald and became editor of the New York World. He was the author of novels and short stories. With George Delacorte Jr., he was a co-founder of Dell Publishing.
Student Writing
The first of the entries below comes from the College Journal, the student run literary magazine. In 1882, the College Journal was replaced by The Pennsylvania Western, the source of the remainder of the entries below. The Pennsyvlania Western was published until 1887, when it was replaced by the Courant. While we don’t know if the poems or essays below were prepared as part of course work, they certainly show the influence of an education in the literary and rhetorical arts at the Western University of Pennyslvania.
“The Last Man,” a poem, by W. H. B.
“The Spirit of Modern Criticism,” by “Nomad.”
“Scientific Use of the Imagination,” by J. D. McCabe.
“History of the Franklin Literary Society,” by “Celes.”
“Elegy on a University Class-Room,” a poem, author unknown.
“Patriotic Songs," by “Clind.”
“Shall We Protect the Liquor Traffic?” an oration by J. O. Horning.
“The Philomathean and Irving Contest,” author unknown.
“Woman’s Work,” author unknown.
“An Essay on Professors,” by “Tyro.”