Bookplates

The Harold F. Harding Memorial Book Fund

February 3, 2009

This fund was established by Dr. Harold F. Harding with assistance from family and friends. It became a memorial fund following his death in 1987 and supports the purchase of books in the area of public speaking.

Harold F. Harding (1903-1986) entered Hamilton as a member of the Class of 1925. While on the Hill, he served on many student publications and joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He excelled in his academics and oratory skills, having a successful intercollegiate debate career, and was awarded the Kellogg and Cobb essay prizes and the Pruyn Medal for oration. He was a McKinney Prize speaker and graduated with honors in history.

Following his graduation, Harold began teaching public speaking while pursuing graduate degrees from Cornell, where he earned his M.A. and then his Ph.D. in 1937. His academic career was interrupted by World War II, during which he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific theater. He earned a Bronze Star and became a General before the end of his service. Following his discharge from the Army, he began a long and successful career in higher education. He held faculty positions at George Washington University and Ohio State University, and served as a visiting professor for various other universities. He was a renowned specialist in English rhetoric theory and edited several textbooks and other works. His dedication to his academic pursuits and abiding interest in Hamilton was acknowledged when he received an honorary degree from the college in 1962.