Sirich, Edward Hinman, 1884-1963.

Edward Hinman Sirich, B.A., Ph.D. (1914) Johns Hopkins University. Professor of romance languages at the University of Minnesota. Served as Consular Agent for France (1932-1939) and awarded the French Legion of Honor Metal (1952).

Edward H. "Si" Sirich was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 29, 1884. He taught modern languages at St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland from 1908-1912, and in 1914 he obtained his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. That same year, he came to the University of Minnesota, where he helped build a modern department of French undergraduate and graduate studies.

Sirich served in World War I, earning the Silver Medal by the minister of foreign affairs for liaison work in France. On his return, he resumed his rank of assistant professor (1917-1923), but left in 1923 to serve as dean of St. Johns College. He returned to Minnesota the next fall, as associate professor (1924-1929) and then professor (1929-1952) of romance languages until his retirement as professor emeritus.

Sirich focused on French literature of the 18th century, but he also taught beginning classes in French and Spanish. He was the author of textbooks such as French Review Grammar and Composition, Practical French Grammar, and Simplified French Grammar .

Sirich served as the Consular Agent for France from 1932-1939, and was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal in 1952. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and took an active role in the local chapter. Edward Sirich died on September 22, 1963 in Minneapolis after a brief illness, at the age of 79.

From the guide to the Edward Hinman Sirich papers, 1911-1962, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])