Charles R. Van Hise
Encyclopedia
Charles Richard Van Hise, Ph.D. (May 29, 1857 – November 19, 1918) was an American
geologist
and academic. He served as president of the University of Wisconsin
(UW) in Madison, Wisconsin
, from 1903 to 1918.
. He received his bachelor's degree from UW in mechanical engineering
in 1879, and was the first to graduate with a Ph.D.
from the school in 1892, receiving a doctorate in geology
. He also received another B.S.
in 1880 and a M.S.
in 1882. He married Alice Bushnell Ring in 1881. They had three children.
Van Hise joined the faculty of the University immediately after graduating, as an instructor in chemistry
and metallurgy
(1879–1883). He then proceeded through the academic ranks as an assistant professor of metallurgy (1886–1888), professor of mineralogy
and petrography
(1888–1892), professor of Archaean and applied geology (1890–1892), and professor of geology (after 1892).
Professor Van Hise was elected by the Board of Regents to become the president of the University of Wisconsin on April 21, 1903. He succeeded Charles K. Adams, who had died in 1901, and Edward A. Birge, who had served as acting president for the prior two years. Van Hise was helped in his election by the support of Governor Robert La Follette
. In 1904, as president of the university, he declared that "the beneficent influence of the university [be] available to every home in the state," later articulated as the "Wisconsin Idea
." He was instrumental in the formation of the University of Wisconsin Extension division, which later grew into the University of Wisconsin System
. During his tenure, UW's medical college was established, the number of faculty doubled and the university's revenue increased fourfold.
Writing in After Seven Years, which was his 1939 account of his role as an advisor the FDR, Raymond Moley credited Van Hise with the underlying philosophy of the New Deal's National Industrial Recovery Act, stating: "The source of that philosophy, as I've suggested earlier, was Van Hise's Concentration and Control, and it was endlessly discussed, from every angle, during the 'brain trust' days. In several of his campaign speeches F.D.R. had touched upon the idea of substituting, for the futile attempt to control the abuses of anarchic private economic power, by smashing it to bits, a policy of cooperative business-government planning to combat the instability of economic operations and the insecurity of livelihood. The beliefs that economic bigness was here to stay; that the problem of government was to enable the whole people to enjoy the benefits of mass production and distribution (economy and security); and that it was the duty of government to devise, with business, the means of social and individual adjustment to the facts of the industrial age—these were the heart and soul of the New Deal…. And if ever a man seemed to embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly, that man was Franklin Roosevelt." [P. 184]
Van Hise worked as a consulting geologist for the United States Geological Survey
from 1909–1918 and published several works for them. He served as the president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
in 1916. He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
on November 19, 1918.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and academic. He served as president of the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
(UW) in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, from 1903 to 1918.
Life and work
Van Hise was born in Fulton, WisconsinFulton, Wisconsin
Fulton is a town in Rock County, Wisconsin, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 3,158. The unincorporated communities of Fulton and Indianford are located in the town.-Geography:...
. He received his bachelor's degree from UW in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in 1879, and was the first to graduate with a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the school in 1892, receiving a doctorate in geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
. He also received another B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1880 and a M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in 1882. He married Alice Bushnell Ring in 1881. They had three children.
Van Hise joined the faculty of the University immediately after graduating, as an instructor in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and metallurgy
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
(1879–1883). He then proceeded through the academic ranks as an assistant professor of metallurgy (1886–1888), professor of mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
and petrography
Petrography
Petrography is a branch of petrology that focuses on detailed descriptions of rocks. Someone who studies petrography is called a petrographer. The mineral content and the textural relationships within the rock are described in detail. Petrographic descriptions start with the field notes at the...
(1888–1892), professor of Archaean and applied geology (1890–1892), and professor of geology (after 1892).
Professor Van Hise was elected by the Board of Regents to become the president of the University of Wisconsin on April 21, 1903. He succeeded Charles K. Adams, who had died in 1901, and Edward A. Birge, who had served as acting president for the prior two years. Van Hise was helped in his election by the support of Governor Robert La Follette
Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Robert Marion "Fighting Bob" La Follette, Sr. , was an American Republican politician. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was the Governor of Wisconsin, and was also a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin...
. In 1904, as president of the university, he declared that "the beneficent influence of the university [be] available to every home in the state," later articulated as the "Wisconsin Idea
Wisconsin Idea
The Wisconsin Idea is the political philosophy developed in the American state of Wisconsin that fosters public universities' contributions to the state: "to the government in the forms of serving in office, offering advice about public policy, providing information and exercising technical skill,...
." He was instrumental in the formation of the University of Wisconsin Extension division, which later grew into the University of Wisconsin System
University of Wisconsin System
The University of Wisconsin System is a university system of public universities in the state of Wisconsin. It is one of the largest public higher education systems in the country, enrolling more than 182,000 students each year and employing more than 32,000 faculty and staff statewide...
. During his tenure, UW's medical college was established, the number of faculty doubled and the university's revenue increased fourfold.
Writing in After Seven Years, which was his 1939 account of his role as an advisor the FDR, Raymond Moley credited Van Hise with the underlying philosophy of the New Deal's National Industrial Recovery Act, stating: "The source of that philosophy, as I've suggested earlier, was Van Hise's Concentration and Control, and it was endlessly discussed, from every angle, during the 'brain trust' days. In several of his campaign speeches F.D.R. had touched upon the idea of substituting, for the futile attempt to control the abuses of anarchic private economic power, by smashing it to bits, a policy of cooperative business-government planning to combat the instability of economic operations and the insecurity of livelihood. The beliefs that economic bigness was here to stay; that the problem of government was to enable the whole people to enjoy the benefits of mass production and distribution (economy and security); and that it was the duty of government to devise, with business, the means of social and individual adjustment to the facts of the industrial age—these were the heart and soul of the New Deal…. And if ever a man seemed to embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly, that man was Franklin Roosevelt." [P. 184]
Van Hise worked as a consulting geologist for the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
from 1909–1918 and published several works for them. He served as the president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
in 1916. He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
on November 19, 1918.
Awards and honors
- Elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of SciencesRoyal Swedish Academy of SciencesThe Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences or Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. The Academy is an independent, non-governmental scientific organization which acts to promote the sciences, primarily the natural sciences and mathematics.The Academy was founded on 2...
in 1905. - On the UW–Madison Campus there is a building named after Van Hise at the intersection of Charter and Linden Streets.
- There is an elementary school in MadisonMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
named after him.
Publications
- On secondary enlargements of mineral fragments in certain rocks with Roland Duer IrvingRoland Duer IrvingRoland Duer Irving was an American Geologist. He was born in New York city and graduated from Columbia College School of Mines in 1869 as a mining engineer...
. USGS Bulletin No. 8, 1884 - Correlation Papers . . . Archœan and Algonkian (1892)
- Principles of North American Pre-Cambrian Geology (1896)
- Some Principles Controlling the Deposition of Ores (1901)
- The Iron Ores of the Lake Superior Region (1901)
- An Attempt to Reduce the Phenomena of Rock Alterations to Order under the Laws of Energy (1903)
- A Treatise on Metamorphism (1904)
- The Conservation of Natural Resources in the United States (1910)
- Concentration and Control (1912; new edition, 1915)
External links
- Biography of Van Hise at the Wisconsin Electronic Reader
- Biographies of the chancellors and presidents of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Short article about Van Hise at AAAS.org
- University of Wisconsin–Madison home page.
- Wisconsin Electronic Reader.
- The University of Wisconsin–Madison Collection.