Geography at Harvard

The death of world-respected Professor Derwent S. Whittlesey leaves Harvard without a faculty member to teach geography. His death may mark the end of geography at the University, for although Professor Whittlesey had announced that he would retire this June, the Administration reportedly had taken no steps to replace him.

This would be extremely unfortunate, for as Professor Whittlesey consistently advocated, geography has an important role in education as a whole, and at Harvard. A graduate committee organized in 1948 to examine the problem concluded that geographic training and advice is needed in nine other fields, including history, economics, and anthropology. It thought geography "The first essential basis of any area study," and many here are engaged in regional studies. Geography is an essential part of history, but while history's perspective is that of time, geography views societies in relation to the space they inhabit. This viewpoint has great value in a world of political blocs whose formation is greatly influenced by geographic factors.

The United States, especially, during wartime, desperately needs geographers. A good many of them take their undergraduate training in another field while becoming acquainted with geography, then specialize in graduate school. But due to the small number of courses now offered, the average Harvard undergraduate is unaware of the existence of geography as a serious academic concern. If geography is eliminated, few, if any, graduates from the College will enter the field.

The Harvard Geography Department, begun at the turn of the century, reached its peak of about eight faculty members in 1928 and continued at this level until 1948. In 1948, the geographers here, excepting Professor Whittlesey who held a permanent appointment, were told to look for work elsewhere. The reason given was: "Harvard cannot hope to have strong departments in everything."

In 1950, a faculty committee, which was initially dubious of geography's value, began a study of the place of geography in Harvard education. After examining the matter for a year, it suggested that a four chair department be established. The report was rejected by the University.

The refusal was unfortunate, for even if Harvard cannot afford to maintain a strong geography department, courses should be offered in the field. Every other major American university has a geography department. Many, including Yale and the Universities of Chicago and California, are expanding theirs. The Geographic Institute and its excellent map collection provide an admirable base upon which Harvard can rebuild.

At least two geographers, one to fill Professor Whittlesey's chair, should be brought here to teach. This inexpensive and mild expansion would facilitate study in other fields, contribute to the liberal education of a good number of students, and help ease the American need for geographers.