Today we remember former University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, president and College of Letters & Science dean Edward Asahel Birge (September 7, 1851 – June 9, 1950). Birge joined the UW-Madison faculty in 1875 as an instructor in natural history.
He was also a pioneer educator in the study of limnology. Birge served as acting president from 1900 to 1903 and president from 1918 to 1925. E.A. Birge died in 1950 and upon his death, the University renamed the Botany Building in his honor.
This short film clip from 1929 shows Professor Birge in his element, conducting scientific research on lake water and species.
For more information about E.A. Birge, contact uwarchiv@library.wisc.edu.
Visit Edward Asahel Birge on Flickr to view more Birge photos!