Francis Marion Burdick

Francis Marion Burdick’s varied career comprised editorship of the Utica Herald, a term as Mayor of Utica, and professorship of law, first at Hamilton College, then at Cornell, and finally at Columbia. Personally quiet and retiring by nature, Professor Burdick displayed in his educational and professional career an unusually strong will and an unusually keen intelligence. His convictions on matters of law, politics, and the social order were independent, well-buttressed, and positive, yet his manner was courtesy itself, and he was held in great affection both by his colleagues and his students. As commentator to some phases of the law and successful teacher, he has left a distinguished reputation, some of his works on legal practice having been widely used as college text-books. Fond of reading, and with high standards of literary appreciation, [he] his mind and his heart well furnished by constantly refreshing his recollection of the best that has been said and done in the world.

Alexander Dana Noyes
1921 Century Association Yearbook