Graduation Season


Josiah Pierce on graduation, Brunswick, 1818

Josiah Pierce on graduation, Brunswick, 1818
Item 23893   info
Maine Historical Society

Josiah Pierce (1792-1866) of Baldwin wrote to his father about his graduation part, with which he was pleased, and the lectures he was attending as a senior at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

All students made presentations at graduation on particular subjects, part of an effort to demonstrate what students had learned during their time at Bowdoin. Students were assigned particular "parts," based on their class rank.

Pierce was the first of a number of Pierce relatives to attend the college.

He especially praised Professor Parker Cleaveland, who taught mathematics and natural and experimental philosophy. Cleaveland's special interest became mineralogy.

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