History of Lawrence and Monroe Counties, Indiana By B.F. Bowen & Co, 1914, Indianapolis, IN
WILLIAM LOWE BRYAN, A. M., Ph. D., LL. D.
Not too often can be repeated the life history of one who has lived so honorable and useful a life and attained to such notable distinction as he whose name appears at the head of this sketch, one of the most successful and distinguished educators that the state of Indiana has produced. His character has been one of signal exaltation and purity of purpose. Well disciplined in mind, maintaining a vantagepoint from which life has presented itself in correct proportions, guided and guarded by the most inviolable principles of integrity and honor, simple and unostentatious in his self-respecting, tolerant individuality, such a man could not prove other than a force for good in whatever relation of life he may have been placed. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature and in studying his career interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation, there being no need for indirection or puzzling. His career has been a busy and useful one and his name is respected by all who have had occasion to come into contact with him or who have knowledge of his life work. As an educator Doctor Bryan stands in the front rank in Indiana, and the cause of higher education in this state owes to him a debt beyond human calculation. He has dignified and honored his profession, for his life has been one of consecration to his calling, and well does he merit a place of honor in every history touching upon the lives and deeds of those who have given the best of their powers and talents for the betterment of their kind.
William Lowe Bryan, president of Indiana State University since 1902, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Monroe county on the nth of November, 1860, and is the son of Rev. John and Eliza (Philips) Bryan. The father, who was a minister in the United Presbyterian church, held a number of pastorates in Indiana and Ohio and was counted among the successful preachers of his church. In the larger affairs of the church he was prominent and at various times served as moderator of church courts. He was a graduate of Jefferson College and was a theologian of the old school. The Bryan family has been long established in this country, the emigrant ancestor having been John Bryan, who came to this country in about 1750. On the maternal side, the subject is also descended from sterling old stock, his great-grandfather, David Philips, whose father came to America in 1750, having been a captain, and later a lieutenant-colonel in the Revolutionary war. His son, Enoch Philips, served with the rank of major in the war of 1812. To Rev. John and Eliza Bryan were born the following children: Elizabeth C. (Mrs. John A. Ramsay), Houston, Texas; Mary Belle (Mrs. Joseph K. Philips), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Enoch A., president of Washington State College, Pullman, Washington; Jennie P., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Joseph C., who died in 1898; William Lowe, subject of this sketch; three sons died in childhood.
William Lowe Bryan secured his elementary training in the district schools of his home neighborhood, followed by attendance in the public schools of Bloomington. He then entered the preparatory department of the State University, and graduated from the university in 1884. During practically all of his school career Mr. Bryan was a leader in his studies and also took an active part in athletics, having been a member of the university baseball team several year,s. During that period also he conducted the college paper, The Indiana Student. In the meantime he had been engaged in teaching school at Grayville, Illinois, where he gained his first experience as an instructor. After his graduation, Mr. Bryan was appointed an instructor in the preparatory school of the university, but before the close of that year he was transferred to the university staff as instructor in Greek. The following year, 1885, he was made associate professor of philosophy, and during 1886-7 he was a student in the University of Berlin. On his return from Germany, he was made professor of philosophy, in which capacity he continued until 1902. when he was chosen president of the university. He was vice-president of the institution from 1893 up to the time of his selection to the presidency. Intensely optimistic, conservatively enthusiastic and untiring in his energy, Doctor Bryan brought to the presidency a mind and body both well fitted for the complex duties connected therewith, for, be it emphasized, the office of president of a great institution like this is no sinecure. The growth of Indiana University since Doctor Bryan became president is the highest testimonial that could possibly be paid to his ability and foresight as an executive and to his eminent standing as a broad-minded, scholarly and progressive educator. Since assuming the responsible position which he now so worthily holds and so signally honors, the advancement of the university has kept pace with the leading institutions of the kind in the United States, the attendance increasing from thirteen hundred and thirty-four in 1902 to approximately twentv-six hundred in 1912, while the number and capacity of the buildings have been increased, the value of the university property materially advanced, and several new departments added, including those of medicine and commerce. The faculty now numbers about one hundred persons, among whom are some of the leading educators of the country, in their special lines of work, no pains being spared in securing the best ability obtainable in order to keep the institution at the high standard to which it has been raised under the present administration. Admittedly one of the best schools in the land, Indiana State University's reputation is so high and its work so thorough that many students are attracted to its walls every year from other states. Doctor Bryan has always stood for the highest grade of work in the class room, economy in the use of the public funds and thoroughness in all matters coming within the sphere of his authority. He exercises the greatest care over the buildings and grounds, looks after the comfort and welfare of the students, and, being proud of the university and jealous of its good name and honorable reputation, it is easily understood why he enjoys such great popularity with all connected with the institution and is so well and favorably known in educational circles throughout the country.
Doctor Bryan has been identified with the State University for thirty years, eleven years of the time as its chief executive. While professor of philosophy, he did much scientific work, made many important researches and discoveries, especially in the realm of psychology, and gave the results of his investigations to the world in a number of scholarly papers and treatises, published in this country and in periodicals abroad. In conjunction with G. Stanley Hall, he was a leader in the movement for the scientific study of children, and made some early addresses on this subject, both prophetic and conservative, which attracted considerable attention at the time and brought to him recognition as an educator and thinker. He was a pioneer in this state in experimental psychology, a department of science in which he has been a persistent and enthusiastic investigator. In 1888 he purchased some apparatus and carried on research work with his advanced students, and in 1892, on his return from Clark University, where he had spent a year, he established a laboratory which soon ranked among the best anywhere, and, under his guidance, the laboratory has grown until it now occupies fourteen rooms and possesses a splendid equipment. In 1900-1 President and Mrs. Bryan sojourned in Paris and Wurzburg, studying psychology, one fruit of which work is an unpublished series of addresses on the psychology of occupations, especially in relation to education. President Bryan's published works embrace the following: "Psychology at Indiana University," in American Journal of Psychology, Vol. Ill, pages 283-284 (April, 1890) ; "On the Development of Voluntary Motor Ability," in American Journal of Psychology, Vol. V, pages 125-204 (November, 1892); "Auditory and Visual Memory in School Children," in Proceedings of the International Educational Association (1893); "Child Study: Systematic and Unsystematic," in Proceedings Department of Superintendents (1895), Proceedings National Educational Association, pages 412-418 (1895) ; "On the Methods and Results of Child Study," article in Johnson's Encyclopedia; "Science and Education," in Proceedings National Education Association, pages 161-165 (1895) ; "Scientific and Non-Scientific Methods of Child Study," in Proceedings National Educational Association, pages 856-860 (1896); "Studies on the Physiology and Psychology of the Telegraphic Language," (with Noble Harter) in Psychological Review, Vol. IV, pages 27-53 (January, 1897) ; "Hygiene of Motor Development," in Proceedings of Department of Superintendents, National Educational Association for 1897; "Report of a Special Committee on the Organization of a Committee on School'Hygiene": "Plato the Teacher; being Selections from the Apology, Euthydemus, Protagoras, Symposium, Phaedms, Republic and Phaedo of Plato," edited with introduction and notes (joint author with Mrs. Charlotte Lowe Bryan), New York, 1897, 454 pages; "The Republic of Plato, with Studies for Teachers," (joint author with Mrs. Charlotte Lowe Bryan), New York, 1898, 313 pages; "Studies on the Telegraphic Language. The Acquisition of a Hierarchy of Habits," (joint author with Noble Harter), in Psychological Review, Vol. VI, pages 345-375 (July, 1899) ; "Science in the Daily Press" (joint author with Ernest H. Lindley), in Science, new series, Vol. XI, page 74 (1900): "An Arithmetical Prodigy" (joint author with E. H. Lindley), in Proceedings American Psychological Association for 1900, and in Psychological Rwiezv, Vol. VII, page 135 (1900) ; "The Case of Arthur Griffith, Arithmetical Prodigy" (joint author with E. H. Lindley), in Compte rendu du Congres International de Psychologic tenu a Paris, 1900, page 178; "Theory and Practice/' President's address, American Psychological Association, St. Louis meeting, December, 1903, in Psychological Review, Vol. XI, pages 71-82 (March, 1904). The works mentioned above, however, do not by any means represent adequately the activities of President Bryan's busy years, for much of his original research work has never been published to the world. He has a justifiable pride in the position occupied by Indiana University in research and study, her record in the field of psychology being excelled by only five colleges in this country.
President Bryan has been honored by many scientific and educational societies in this country, among which preferments have been the following: Secretary of the first Child Study Association, organized at Chicago in 1893; member of the Herbart Society; member of council of the National Educational Association; president of the American Psychological Association, 1903-4; president of Indiana State Teachers' Association, 1904; vice-president of the section of higher education, National Educational Association, 1904, and president of this section in 1905; president of the American Association of State Universities, 1911-12; Fellow of the American Academy of Science; trustee of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; honorary member of the Phi Beta Kappa; he was also a charter member and the first president of the Indiana chapter of the Sigma Zi frtaernity. President Bryan has been the recipient of the following honorary degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Indiana University, 1884; Master of Arts, 1886; Doctor of Philosophy, Clark University, 1892; Doctor of Laws, University of Illinois, 1904, and Hanover College, 1908.
On July 13, 1889, William Lowe Bryan was married to Charlotte A. Lowe, the daughter of Charles G. and Sophia E. Lowe, of Indianapolis. Mrs. Bryan is a graduate of Indiana University, Bachelor of Arts, 1888, Master of Arts, 1889, and is joint author with Doctor Bryan of "Plato the Teacher," and "Plato's Republic."
Religiously, President and Mrs. Bryan are members of the United Presbyterian church, and are earnest and faithful in their observance of their religious obligations and privileges. Personally, President Bryan is genial and easily approached and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence of all who are thrown into contact with him. . Though first of all an educator and making his work as such paramount to every other consideration, he has not been remiss in his duty to the community in which he resides, nor unmindful of his obligations as a citizen. Thoroughly abreast of the times on the leading questions and issues concerning which men and parties divide, he is not a strict partisan, and, particularly in local affairs, gives his support to the best qualified candidates, irrespective of party ties. Though now only in the early prime of life, he has achieved success such as only few attain, but, not satisfied with past results, he is pressing forward to still wider fields and higher honors, although his place among the eminent men of his day and generation is secure for all time to come.
