ollowing notice of the eminent scholar who succeeded Professor
Crosby in the chair of Greek, is from a Commemorative "Discourse" by
Professor Brown.

John Newton Putnam was the son of Simeon and Abigail Brigham (Fay)
Putnam, and was born December 26, 1822, in what was then the north
parish of the beautiful town of Andover, Massachusetts. His father, a
graduate of Harvard in the Class of 1811, was for many years teacher
of a classical school of high character in North Andover, in which the
son received his elementary training and discipline. His mother was a
lady of exquisite refinement and beauty of character, of great
gentleness and tender grace. Soon after the death of his father, in
1833, he entered Phillips Academy in Andover, then under the charge of
that excellent scholar, Mr. Osgood Johnson, where he successfully
completed the usual course of study preparatory to entering college.

Being still quite young, and already showing uncommon aptitude for
study, he went with his instructor and friend, Rev. Thatcher Thayer,
to the town of Dennis, upon Cape Cod, where he spent four years in
quiet and delightful application.

Dr. Thayer says of his classical studies:

"He recited each day, in review, the whole of the past lesson from
memory, without book, first the Latin or Greek and then the English.
At each lesson questions were asked which, if he could not answer, he
was required to answer at the next recitation, from various helps
furnished him. This often led to long and varied investigations. He
wrote as much as he read,--perhaps more.

"If those studying with him might smile a little at his want of
athletic zeal and vigor, there was no room for smiling when it came to
Greek, or indeed any mental exercise. Besides, his wit, though gentle,
could gleam, and then they all respected him for his character, and
loved him for his winning spirit."

In the autumn of 1840, he entered the Sophomore class of this college,
ready to make full use of the ample opportunities granted him. With
what modesty and beauty he bore himself here, with what fidelity in
every relation, with what admirable scholarship, with what generous
aims, with what simplicity and purity of motive, with what love of
learning, and desire not merely of meeting the claims of the
recitation-room, but of perfecting himself in every branch of liberal
culture, how constantly this noble desire possessed him from his first
day among us down to the closing hour