Ticknor, George, 1791-1871

George Ticknor (1791-1871), educator and author, served as the first Smith Professor of the French and Spanish Languages and Literatures at Harvard from 1817 to 1835. After his arrival at Harvard, Ticknor became disenchanted with the school curriculum, characterizing the College as a well-disciplined high school, and began an effort to reorganize the College around four main goals: the division of students in courses according to academic proficiency and merit; the division of the College into departments grouped around related subjects; an elective system from which students could select their own courses above a prescribed minimum; and an open door policy which would allow students who were not candidates for a degree to take specialized courses at Harvard. After lengthy discussion and debate among members of the Corporation, the Board of Overseers and faculty, Ticknor's reform proposals were largely adopted in June 1825. However, the 1825 reform laws withered in the face of resistance by Ticknor's colleagues and by 1827 the reforms were abandoned in the College at-large, except in the Department of Modern Languages, where under Ticknor's direction they were largely successful. Ticknor resigned his professorship in May 1835 after becoming discouraged over the prospects of reform at Harvard College. He spent his remaining years traveling abroad, writing books and articles, and helping to establish the Boston Public Library.

From the guide to the Records of the Smith Professor of the French and Spanish Languages and Literatures kept by George Ticknor, 1816-1835 and undated., (Harvard University Archives)