Lives of Consequence
Charles D. Vail 1859
Professor of English and Rhetoric, Librarian
Charles D. Vail '59 served Hobart College in many capacities: as registrar, librarian, director of alumni affairs, historian, author, speaker, participant on countless committees, and Horace White Professor of Rhetoric, Elocution, and English Literature.
The many references to Professor Vail in the Hobart Herald attest to his constant presence and influence on campus life. One of his most significant contributions lies in his pioneering concept of what is now considered a modern English department. Professor Turk, in a 1921 editorial upon Professor Vail's death wrote that Vail, along with close colleagues at Columbia College, Yale, and others in England, "believed that the English language and literature should be taught with the same ideals and objectives as had long inspired instruction in Greek and Latin. The idea was a new one...and not a few distinguished graduates of his day have given as writers and preachers brilliant illustrations of the soundness of his views."
Vail was born in Goshen, New York in 1837 and attend Hobart College from 1855-59. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the first recipient of the White Essay Prize, awarded to the student with the best essay during the year. After graduation, Vail taught for several years at both Seneca Falls and Geneva High Schools.
He received an M.A. from Hobart in 1862, and started his career at Hobart in 1869 as a tutor. In 1872, he joined the faculty as Professor of English and Rhetoric and Librarian. From the year he entered his beloved Hobart until his retirement in 1909, he missed only one commencement, demonstrating his devotion to his alma mater. Vail was honored with the Colleges' Distinguished Faculty Award in 1997 for his outstanding contributions as teacher, mentor and scholar.
Professor Vail and his second wife, Helen Houghton, were great benefactors to the Colleges. He passed away in 1921 after 49 years of service to Hobart.