Baccalaureate Address by Elmer Ellsworth Brown - Chancellor, June 10, 1923

Sep 21, 2026

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Baccalaureate address delivered by Elmer Ellsworth Brown, Chancellor, at New York University on June 10, 1923. The speech argues that straight thinking and leadership are not mechanical formulas, but are inseparable from psychology, human complication, prejudice, and the need for self-awareness. It frames education as learning to know mankind and individual motives, culminating in leadership as revelation that enables mutual understanding and supports a coherent, humane society.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time17 min

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Baccalaureate address by Elmer Ellsworth Brown

Straight thinking vs. leadership as human understanding

Education as learning to know men

Leadership as revelation and the purpose of education

Mutual understanding as the foundation of society

97-84050-27Brown,Elmer Ellsworth Baccalaureate address byElmer Ellsworth Brown.. [n.p.] [n.d.] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISION BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Reproductions may not be made without permission trom Columbia Universlty Lbraries. TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA 35mmREDUCTION BATIO: 1/:/ IMAGE PLACEMENT:IA IIA IB IB DATE FILMED: 325-97 INITIALS: M TRACKING\#: 22729 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. 吵 New York University BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS BYELMER ELISWORTH BROWNChancellor June I0,I923 302 et14,i4-e一 Members of the Class of I923: We have heard it said that colleges train for straightthinking and for leadership through straight thinking.This is a convenient and familiar formula,and it has valueas a formula.But if by straight thinking you meanthinking by the rules,regardless of human quality andregardless of imagination,then the formula will notcarry far.If by leadership you mean the relation of ashepherd to his sheep or even that of a master to disci-ples who echo his opinions,then the formula will not carryfar.Thought and leadership are not so simple.Theyare involved in human complications.They are en-tangled with psychology. You are to play your part in a world of men.Youare to have relations of understanding with those withwhom you are to deal. To estimate the currents of prejudice,passion,andunconquerable ignorance among men;to know the othercurrents setting as strongly in your own souls;to markout your course,not by compasses and ruler on a surfaceof white paper,but by foresight and allowance for thedrift;to be thwarted and take it as part of the game;to make your readjustments with zest and deliberation;to become acquainted with weakness,trickery,self-seeking,and all manner of perversity,and yet to keepsweet as a wellspring in your own souls;and all the whileto cultivate the good will of your fellow men on a basisof intelligence and comprehension:this is all a part ofyour adventure toward your goal. In this your mettle will beput to the test,your nativesense and force and penetration.Your achievementwill be conditioned by your inborn capacity for sympathyand appreciation,by your insight into motives and dis-guises.You must know men.But it is just here thateducation should come to your support.To know men,you must know man.To know men,not plausiblyand shrewdly but profoundly,to know men for creativeleadership,you must know the spirit of mankind. And the spirit of mankind has been unfoldingthrough the centuries.It has revealed itself in a seriesof master works,the supreme products of its essentialcharacter.Books,buildings,songs,and governments;sciences,manners,faiths;social castes and social brother-hood;ideals,conscience,sports,and tragedies—the verysoul of humanity has been laid bare to him who has thecourage to see. In so far as your University has been a true motherof knowledge,she has helped you to take that look;she has helped you to learn what is in the spirit of man.She has not given you directions,she has given you clues. If you have learned to know Shakespeare and Abra-ham Lincoln,these two,and have learned to know themintimately,then you are on the way to an understandingof the English speaking race and of the world entangle-ments in which that race is engaged.If you have thegreat good fortune to know the Old Testament and theNew,the Greek tragedians,the Latin language,then youare on the way to a vital understanding of civilized man-kind,as he has come to his maturity in this occidentalenvironment.If you know physical science,not in itsisolation but in its relations with the thought of theages,from which it has emerged,and with those com-manding personalities who have been the captains of its hist

FAQs

What does the address say about “straight thinking” and why does it fall short?

It argues that thinking only by rules, without regard to human quality or imagination, cannot carry far. It reframes thinking as inseparable from human psychology and real conditions.

How does the speech define leadership?

Leadership is described as a form of revelation—helping others become aware of their underlying wants and adorations. It depends on understanding motives, disguises, and human weakness.

What is the role of education according to the address?

Education should support a profound knowledge of men and the spirit of mankind across history and major works. This deeper humanism prepares leaders to cultivate good will and build mutual understanding.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aria