Life, 1897-08-26 · page 1 of 20
Life — August 26, 1897 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Cartoon, August 26, 1897 This satirical cartoon titled "How to Build Up a University" mocks Brown University's fundraising efforts. Two figures—one holding a wanted poster—advertise a "Corporation of Brown University" seeking a young man of "submissive disposition" to serve as president. The satire critiques university leadership by suggesting the ideal candidate must be obsequious toward wealthy donors ("millionaires"), willing to "rake in the dollars," and suppress personal opinions. The phrase about needing "a gentleman encumbered with a back-bone" is ironic—the position actually requires spinelessness. The name "J.H. WALKER" appears at bottom, likely the cartoonist. This reflects late-19th-century anxieties about wealthy donors controlling academic institutions and compromising educational integrity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XXX. NEW YORK, AUGUST 26, 1897. NUMBER 766. Fatered at the New York Post Office as Second-Class Mail Matter. Copyright, 1897, by Mrrcnatt & Mitten. D By THe CORPORATION BROWN UNIERSITY A youre}! IAN OF SUBMISSIVE DISPOSITION AS i PRESIDENT A REASONABLE AMOUNT of SCHOLARSHIP WILL Noy GE A DISQUALIFICATION BUT THE CWEF Rrqusi7. Wit BE AN OBSEQUIOUS AND INGRATIATING BEHA\ 10R TowARD MNAIONAIRES AND AN AGILITY To TRAKE IN THE DOL! LARS! Y ? =F OPINIONS AND FIRST-CLASS BOARD ] FURNISHED BY THE CORPORATION Bames| “Y No GENTLEMAN ENCUMBERED Ri wre A BACKBONE NEED APPLY. 4 ADDRESS i Rane is ee mT HOW TO BUILD UP A UNIVERSITY.