century association biographical archive

Earliest Members of the Century Association

View all members

Henry Drisler

Professor of Classics

Centurion, 1863–1897

Born 27 December 1818 in New York (Staten Island), New York

Died 30 November 1897 in New York (Manhattan), New York

Buried Staten Island Cemetery, West New Brighton, New York

Proposed by Wolcott Gibbs

Elected 2 May 1863 at age forty-four

Century Memorial

Professor Henry Drisler, the genial, accomplished scholar, for over fifty years an honored instructor in Columbia College, was a familiar figure within these walls, where he was the recipient of the respect and love, which he preeminently deserved. The whole of his long life was devoted to learning; in acquiring it himself and imparting it to thousands of young men, who hold him in grateful remembrance. His contributions to classical literature were numerous and valuable, and the academic honors he received were well merited. His whole bearing was the expression of a frank and genial soul filled with kindness and helpfulness to his race. His quiet, studious nature found its chief pleasure in the development of his profession, in the Greek Club which he founded, and in the society of his friends here. He has passed away crowned with the regard of those who have enjoyed his instruction and friendship, and the admiration of scholars of his own and other lands.

Henry E. Howland
1898 Century Association Yearbook