Edward W. Lambert

Edward W. Lambert had been a valued member of The Century more than thirty years at the time of his death, and left among us a large circle of attached friends, for his direct, kind, and loyal nature easily won and richly repaid friendship.

Born in Boston, in 1831, Dr. Lambert graduated from Yale in 1854, and studied medicine with the late Dr. Willard Parker. In 1859, early in his career as a physician, his interest and co-operation were enlisted by Mr. Henry B. Hyde, in the formation of the now famous and powerful Equitable Life Assurance Association, of which he became at the outset Medical Director, and of which, at the time of his death, he was the sole survivor of the original officers. The work was difficult and exacting, and many of its delicate and complex problems were unsolved, with relatively few precedents to serve as a guide in their solution. By indomitable perseverance, close study, acute judgment, and intellectual and moral fidelity of a rare sort, Dr. Lambert became a master in his department. The task was one to test character as severely as intellect. It involved dealing not only with large interests, but with multitudes of men in intimate relations. Candor and kindness, an open mind and a talent for inspiring confidence were required, and in these Dr. Lambert was amply equipped. To them he added a cheerful and genial disposition, and it is no exaggeration to say that the great army of the Equitable’s agents was an army of his devoted friends. After nearly forty-five years of continuous service, Dr. Lambert, in February of last year, was made Consulting Medical Director of the Society.

By his associates in The Century the touching tribute paid to him by his friend and ours, Dr. Edward Curtis, will be recognized as appropriate:

“By the death of Dr. Edward Wilberforce Lambert, the world is the poorer by one of that type of humanity whose example can ill be spared, the man without an enemy, the man whose every acquaintance is a friend. Plenty enough are they who are courteous and kind when the occasion is thrust upon them, but what of him who goes out of his way to find the occasion—who makes it, even for kindness’ sake and it may be to his own disadvantage! Such manner of man was Dr. Lambert, and that his soul may find the rest due a long and blameless and beautiful life is the heartfelt prayer of one who for many a happy year toiled close within its radiance.”

Edward Cary
1905 Century Association Yearbook