Tributes to Dean Ames in Law Review

The March issue of the Harvard Law Review is dedicated as a memorial to James Barr Ames, "ardent student of legal history, constructive legal thinker, master of inductive teachers, sympathetic friend of young men, deliberate of thought, firm of conviction, tolerant of opinion, gentle and modest of bearing."

For those who knew Dean Ames any writing concerning him is superfluous. For those who never had the privilege of his acquaintance or instruction, such tribute as the present number of the Review contains cannot fail to be of the utmost interest and value. All will highly prize the issue for its articles on "James Barr Ames," by President Eliot, president of the Law School during the 36 years of service of the late dean; "His Life and Character," by Professor J. H. Beale '82, a colleague; "His Services to Legal Education," by Professor S. Williston '82, a colleague; and "His Personal Influence," by Judge J. W. Mack L.'87, of Chicago.

The intimate friends of Dean Ames, his colleagues, and students entertain an absolute unanimity of opinion concerning him. Unselfishly for 36 years he devoted his entire energies to the Harvard Law School. As a student he first came in touch with the case system under its noted originator, Professor Langdell. A year after his graduation from the School he was appointed Assistant Professor of Law and became the leading expositor of the case method, which has now invaded the whole country. In 1877 he received a full professorship and for the last 15 years of his life was Dean. His knowledge of all branches of the law was profound. He taught at various times at least half of the courses which were given in the School. He was equally well acquainted with the history of the Common Law and with the most modern decisions, and was familiar with the principles of the Civil Law. Endowed with an extraordinary memory, a constructive legal mind not surpassed by living man, a deep-rooted sense of justice, he would have become a legal writer of great eminence; and he is famous for his short legal treatises in the Harvard Law Review, which he helped to establish. But his main influence on the law was excited by his personality--by opening the minds of future lawyers to the great principles of the law.

The call to serve man drew him to the Law School. "His labors both as professor and administrator were very much increased by his habit of holding himself at the disposal of any student or any teacher at any time. He was always accessible." To express the source of inspiration which he was to one of his older pupils, who never saw Mr. Ames after graduating from the school, Mr. Williston quotes this letter:

"No other man with whom I have come in contact has made such an impression upon me, or awakened in me such a strong admiration and desire to serve. I have often thought that if the days of war were to come again with men following chosen leaders, Dean Ames is the one under whom I should want to enlist. He was the kind of man one worships and would die for. I have never felt the same about any other man I have ever known."