Pike, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1866-1938

Joseph Brown Pike was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and was associated with the Classics Dept. as a teacher in various capacities from 1891 until his retirement in 1936.

Joseph Pike enlisted as a Private in Company C, 10th Battalion Virginia Artillery.

Joseph Pike was born in Chicago, Illinois on 22 January 1866. In 1890, he received his B.A. and M.A. degree in 1891, both from the University of Minnesota. He was an instructor in Latin and French at the University of Minnesota from 1892-1895, assistant professor of Latin,1896-1999 and professor of Latin, 1899-1936. In 1903 he was appointed chairman of the Latin Department, serving until 1934. He retired in 1936 as professor emeritus.

During his career, Professor Pike authored many papers, several text books, and a volume of essays entitled, Classical Studies and Sketches, published in 1931 by the University of Minnesota Press. After his retirement, Pike devoted his time to the translation of the famous philosophical medley, the Policraticus of John of Salisbury. The University of Minnesota Press published this work under the title Frivolities of Courtiers and Footprints of Philosophers shortly after his death.

Joseph Pike passed away on 1 November 1938 in Palo Alto, California, a few weeks after the death of his wife, Helen Lyall Pike. Following his death, his library of two thousand volumes was given to the University of Minnesota.