Wilson Farrand

Of the three Farrand brothers [also including Livingston Farrand and Max Farrand], all of whom devoted their lives to the cause of education, it fell to the lot of the oldest, Wilson Farrand, to carry on the work of his father at Newark Academy. There was a sense of deep loyalty in the undertaking. His father had been headmaster of this famous secondary school for 42 years, from 1859 to 1901. Young Wilson became a master there soon after graduation from Princeton and remained in its faculty for exactly 42 years. From 1901 to 1935 he was its headmaster. This was an important and distinguished career in itself; but it was only the beginning of his activities in the teaching world. He was one of the founders in 1900 of the College Entrance Examination Board; he remained a leading spirit in its labors to the end. A Centurion and former President of a college describes him as especially effective in bridging the gap between the school and college points of view. Farrand understood each side so thoroughly and was so sympathetic with both that he was invaluable as a peacemaker and arbitrator. All the groups of schoolmasters looked up to him for leadership and advice. He served as President of the New York and the Middle States Associations and as President of the Head Masters Association of the United States. Serving as chairman of a committee of investigation of educational institutions of the Middle States Association, he played an active part in raising standards throughout the country. In addition he gave many years of loyal service to Princeton University. Elected an alumni trustee in 1909 he became a life trustee and clerk of the board in 1919. One of his duties in the latter capacity was to read the list of candidates for the bachelor’s degree on commencement day.

Given the right companions, he was an ardent tramper; sometimes the setting was in Surrey, England; oftener it was upon the Long Trail in the mountains of Vermont. No weather was too stormy to discourage his delight in the scenery or dim his youthful enthusiasm for the surprise of coming unexpectedly upon a freight train tooting its way through the fastnesses of the Green Mountains. But best of all he loved to foregather with his fellows of the schools and colleges, for work or for play. The Century saw many of these smaller gatherings and his talk at them; his reminiscences of embattled days at Princeton, for example, remains a keen memory for all who shared them. All three brothers were Centurions of long standing; their friendships among the members were legion; the pride and affection of the Club in them can have had few parallels.

Geoffrey Parsons
1942 Century Memorials