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Story
March 20, 1878
Juniata Sentinel And Republican
Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Theodore Parker, unable to afford Harvard due to poverty, self-studied evenings and mornings while working on his father's farm and teaching school, completing the course non-residency, passing exams without a degree, and later declining one offered conditionally.
Clipping
OCR Quality
100%
Excellent
Full Text
Going Through College.
Theodore Parker never received a diploma, though he pursued the full college course at Harvard. Nor did he ever recite a single line to a professor. His father was poor, and could not afford to pay the college expenses; but Theodore was bound to have a liberal education. One evening he said:
"Father, I have entered Harvard College."
"How did you prepare?" asked the astonished parent.
"I studied by myself evenings, after the day's work was done, and mornings before work." He was then assisting his father on the farm.
"But I cannot pay your expenses in college."
"I know that; I mean to stay at home and keep up with my class."
And he did more than keep up with the class; part of the time he worked for his father at home, and part of the time he taught school, paying his father eleven dollars a month to hire another hand in his place. He passed the examination successfully, but was not given a degree because he had been a non-resident, and had paid no fees. Subsequently a degree was offered him, on condition of paying the customary fees; but money was scarce, though energy and scholarship were ample, and he was obliged to decline it.
Theodore Parker never received a diploma, though he pursued the full college course at Harvard. Nor did he ever recite a single line to a professor. His father was poor, and could not afford to pay the college expenses; but Theodore was bound to have a liberal education. One evening he said:
"Father, I have entered Harvard College."
"How did you prepare?" asked the astonished parent.
"I studied by myself evenings, after the day's work was done, and mornings before work." He was then assisting his father on the farm.
"But I cannot pay your expenses in college."
"I know that; I mean to stay at home and keep up with my class."
And he did more than keep up with the class; part of the time he worked for his father at home, and part of the time he taught school, paying his father eleven dollars a month to hire another hand in his place. He passed the examination successfully, but was not given a degree because he had been a non-resident, and had paid no fees. Subsequently a degree was offered him, on condition of paying the customary fees; but money was scarce, though energy and scholarship were ample, and he was obliged to decline it.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Moral Virtue
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Theodore Parker
Harvard College
Self Education
Poverty
Non Resident Student
What entities or persons were involved?
Theodore Parker
His Father
Where did it happen?
Harvard College (Non Resident)
Story Details
Key Persons
Theodore Parker
His Father
Location
Harvard College (Non Resident)
Story Details
Theodore Parker, from a poor family, self-studied to complete the Harvard college course without attending classes or paying fees, working on the farm and teaching school to support himself, passing exams but declining a later degree offer due to lack of funds.