Fisk, H. F. (Herbert Franklin), 1840-1916

Northwestern University Professor of Education and temperance activist.

From the description of Herbert Fisk Papers, 1874-1917. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122401425

Herbert Franklin Fisk was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, on September 25, 1840. Fisk worked as a classics instructor and principal at various institutions before becoming Principal at Northwestern University's Preparatory School in 1873. He later joined NU's faculty as a Professor of Pedagogy/Education. He was an ardent anti-tobacco and anti-saloon crusader.

Fisk attended the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, from which he received his A.B. in 1860. He was subsequently awarded an M.A. (1863) and a D.D. (1888) by Wesleyan, and an LL.D. (1899) by Allegheny College.

From 1860 through 1873 Fisk served as an instructor of classics and/or principal at several eastern preparatory schools. In 1873 he became Principal of Northwestern University's Preparatory School (later known as the Evanston Academy and as the Northwestern University Academy), which had opened in 1859. Fisk spent the remainder of his career at Northwestern. In 1888, while continuing his duties at the Academy, he was given a concurrent appointment as Professor of Pedagogy (a title later changed to Professor of Education) in Northwestern's College of Liberal Arts.

The 30th anniversary of Fisk's principalship was celebrated in the fall of 1903 with a special conference on secondary education. He retired as Principal of the Academy in June of 1904, but continued to teach in the University until the close of the 1915-1916 academic year.

In addition to his educational concerns, Dr. Fisk was an ardent anti-tobacco crusader, and caused a stir at the Academy in February of 1902 by inviting students who smoked cigarettes to leave the school and offering to refund their fees. Fisk was also involved in the Anti-Saloon League and other temperance organizations.

Fisk was married in 1866 to Anna Green, with whom he had two daughters. His first wife predeceased him. He remarried in 1912, to Carla Sargent, a former pupil and teacher in the Academy, who survived him. Fisk died at his home in Evanston on December 20, 1916, at the age of 76.

From the guide to the Herbert Franklin Fisk Papers, 1874-1917, (Northwestern University Archives)