Awards

Honorary Degree - 1883

LL.D.

Doctor of Laws

Bloomington, Indiana

About Francis Aristide Jackson

Francis Aristide Jackson was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania in 1830. He entered the college department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1844, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1848, and later a master's degree. He was a member of the Zelosophic Society and of the Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Fraternity. Immediately after his graduation, he engaged in civil engineering and became an assistant master in the Episcopal Academy in this city, teaching mathematics and chemistry.

In 1855, he was called to the University of Pennsylvania to become adjunct professor of Latin and Greek; nine years later, he was elected to the position of professor of the Latin Language and Literature. Professor Jackson was a recognized authority on classical literature and had published a number of text books on the subject which were widely used. It was Professor Jackson who originated chamber music in Philadelphia, and he was one of those musical enthusiasts who were instrumental in organizing the Boston Symphony concerts, and the performance was hardly counted complete if Professor Jackson was absent from his usual place in the orchestra circle; he occupied the same seat at the symphony concerts for twenty-five years.

He was the recipient of many honors from Pennsylvania and other universities and was one of the most popular professors among the students. He also received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Indiana University in 1883.