JEAN BIRDSALL
1895 - 1935
In the untimely death of Jean Birdsall the college
suffers the loss of one of its most beloved and
talented teachers. Coming into the faculty in 1927,
by reason of manifest ability she was rapidly ad-
vanced to the rank of Assistant Professor and later
to that of Associate Professor. Whether in the field
of ancient or of medieval history, her interest in
the reconstruction and interpretation of social life,
as her pupils testify, was spontaneously imparted to
other» As a productive scholar her contributions were
finding a place in noted publications; a study of the
English Manors at Caen being contained in the Anniver-
sary Essays in honor of Charles Haskins, while a
translation of the fourteenth century chronicle which
was left unfinished is still expected to be printed
in the Columbia Records of Civilization. To the in-
tellectual activities of our academic societies she
gave unstinted support, having been a devoted member
of the Classical Club, at one time President of Phi
Beta Kappa, and continuously Vice-President of the
Faculty Club. At the same time membership in such
onerous cummittees as that on Admissions, on Students‘
Records, and the Board of Elections gave evidence of
uncomon efficiency in the administration of affairs
touching the student body. For the same reason,
especially in maintaining a good rapport between the
older and the younger members of the comunity, her
recent services as Head Resident of Josselyn Hall are
acknowledged to have been most valuable.
Without seeking popularity, or apparently being con-
scious of any such attribute, Miss Birdsall neverthe-
less comanded it in an unusual degree. So expressive
a nature was likely to enliven any company wherein
she might be found. In ordinary cdnversation her dis-
position was optimistic, dwelling with discrimination
upon that whicg was enjoyable and commendable, delight
ing in the frank interchange of opinions, while the
less amiable trends of discussion found her silent
and indifferent. Moreover a ready wit without sharp-
ness was an instrument which served to brighten and
clarify whatever it touched. With no inclination to
be exclusive she evinced a marked capacity for friend-
ship, whereby she became a merry copanion in the
JEAN BIRDSALL (Continued)
recreations of the campus and countryside. All these
traits and activities are remembered as the spontane-
ous overflow of an abounding spirit within. But alas
that rare mental endowments were cast in a frail
physical frame, and that a life so full of promise
has been thus cut off at the beginning of a brilliant
careerl The college has truly been enriched by her
presence, the memory of which will long remain.
James F. Baldwin
IX - 271