The 1878 diary of Charles Ransom Leonard A freshman at the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa

Charles Ransom Leonard

Book - 2023

"This is a never-before-published diary of a native-born Iowa Citian, who was a freshman at the State University of Iowa in Iowa City in the 1877-78 academic year. Although the diary is far from complete, Charles Ransom Leonard attempted to chronicle his daily life as a student during the second (winter) and third (spring) terms of his freshman year in college. Being a son of Prof. Nathan Ransom Leonard, who taught astronomy and mathematics at the same institution and who had been acting president of the university on two different occasions, it is likely that a lot was expected of the seventeen-year-old Charles. While studying Latin, German, Analytical Geometry and Spherical Trigonometry, he also found time to perform as a singer, act...or and musician in various local productions. This busy schedule, however, did not preclude him from attending Presbyterian church functions, temperance meetings and various lectures, participating in team sports such as baseball and football, or boating with his friends on the Iowa River. The entries in his diary suggest that he may have had more than a casual interest in a certain Miss Adelaide Glenn--sister of the world-renowned opera contralto, Hope Glenn. Mr. Leonard would go on to complete his Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Ph.) and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degrees in 1881 and 1883, respectively, after which he became a successful attorney and politician in the State of Montana." ~ from back cover. more