Stuart Pierson Fund
The Midwest Junto for the History of Science has inaugurated the Stuart
Pierson Memorial Fund to remember one of its most loyal members. Regardless
of distance, Stuart dutifully traveled to the Junto meeting from his
home in Newfoundland, for over twenty years. He served as Junto President
in 1998. Stuart distinguished himself to generations of Junto members
by his enthusiastic presentation of papers characterized by great fun
and greater insight. His talks frequently presented an unusual perspective
on a well-developed theme, pursued an original idea or concept, and
were always creative and entertaining.
Stuart Ogden Pierson Stuart Ogden Pierson received his Ph.D. from Yale
University in 1969, and then joined the History Department faculty at
Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland. For thirty years (1969-1999)
at Memorial University, Stuart taught history of science, history of
technology, history of film, and intellectual history seminars. He was
especially proud of his course on the Scientific Revolution and was
particularly interested in Newton, chemistry, French science, and historiography.
Stuart was also involved with the university's interdisciplinary M.
Phil. Program in Humanities. Stuart's life and work reflected his notable
breadth and depth of his knowledge; he loved literature and used literary
quotations liberally in his talks. Stuart's writing was precise and
intellectually stimulating, filled with imagery, analogy, and original
and insightful juxtaposition of ideas and allusions.
In the spirit of Stuart's Junto presentations, The Stuart Pierson Fund
for the Midwest Junto will be used to support a keynote presentation
that promotes creative and original participation at the annual meetings.
The keynote presentation will generally be a lecture delivered during
a program session, but it may also be an address at the annual banquet,
or on occasion a special presentation particularly relevant to the history
of science and taking advantage of some special talent or opportunity
available at the host site, such as the performance of a play. The program
chair for each meeting, in consultation with the President of the Midwest
Junto, will choose the Pierson presentation.
Long-time Junto members Alan Shapiro, Joe Burchfield, Marjorie Malley,
Bruce Bradley, and David Wilson have organized this initiative, and
they have already pledged $2,700 to the Pierson Fund. However, more
donations are needed to sustain the Fund over any length of time, and
we welcome your contribution. Checks can be sent to the Stuart Pierson
Fund, Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110-2498.
Please make checks payable to: Linda Hall Library, Stuart Pierson Fund.
All contributions are tax-deductible, and we welcome donations in any
amount.
