William Smith Clark

William Smith Clark
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Name	William Smith Clark
Caption	William Smith Clark, c. 1870s
Birth date	31 July 1826
Birth place	Ashfield, Massachusetts
Death date	09 March 1886
Death place	Amherst, Massachusetts
Alma mater	Amherst College, University of Göttingen
Known for	Founding principles of Hokkaido University
Occupation	Educator, botanist, agriculturist
Spouse	Harriet Keopuolani Richards

William Smith Clark was an influential American educator, botanist, and agriculturist who played a pivotal role in the modernization of Japan during the Meiji period. He is best remembered for his transformative work as a foreign advisor in Hokkaido, where he helped establish the precursor to Hokkaido University and left a lasting cultural and educational legacy. His famous parting phrase, "Boys, be ambitious!" has become an enduring motto in Japan, symbolizing the spirit of progress and self-improvement he championed.

Early life and education

Born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, he was raised in a devout Congregationalist family. He pursued his higher education at Amherst College, graduating in 1848, where he developed a keen interest in the natural sciences. Following his graduation, he taught chemistry and botany at a preparatory school before returning to his alma mater as a professor. To further his scientific expertise, Clark traveled to Europe for advanced study, earning a Ph.D. in chemistry from the prestigious University of Göttingen in Hanover in 1852. His academic training in both the United States and Germany equipped him with a rigorous, research-oriented approach to science and education.

Career in the United States

Upon returning to the United States, he resumed his professorship at Amherst College, teaching chemistry, botany, and zoology. His leadership abilities were recognized when he was appointed the third president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, now known as the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in 1867. In this role, he was instrumental in shaping the fledgling land-grant institution, emphasizing practical agricultural science and experimental methods aligned with the Morrill Act of 1862. His success in developing the college's curriculum and farm attracted the attention of officials from the Japanese government, who were seeking foreign experts to aid in the country's rapid modernization.

Role in the founding of Hokkaido University

In 1876, he accepted a one-year contract as a foreign advisor to the Kaitakushi, the Japanese government's Hokkaido Development Commission. He was appointed vice-president of the Sapporo Agricultural College, the forerunner of Hokkaido University. During his brief but intense tenure, he fundamentally shaped the new institution, introducing modern curricula in scientific agriculture, chemistry, and English. He also instilled a strong moral code, influenced by his Protestant beliefs, which included the famous "Covenant of Believers in Jesus" signed by many of his first students. His profound impact culminated in his legendary farewell speech in 1877, where he exhorted his students with the phrase, "Boys, be ambitious!" which remains deeply embedded in Japanese popular culture and the ethos of Hokkaido University.

Later years and legacy

After fulfilling his contract, he returned to Amherst and engaged in various business ventures, including a short-lived mining company in North Carolina. Although he never returned to Japan, his legacy there only grew. The principles and educational model he established at Sapporo Agricultural College endured, directly contributing to the development of Hokkaido University as a premier national university. The college's first graduating class included notable figures like Inazō Nitobe, author of Bushido: The Soul of Japan, and Kanzo Uchimura, a founder of the Non-church movement in Japan. Statues and memorials to him stand on the campus in Sapporo and in Massachusetts, and the Clark Scholarship program continues to foster academic exchange between Hokkaido University and the University of Massachusetts.

Personal life

He married Harriet Keopuolani Richards in 1852, and the couple had five children. His family life was centered in Amherst, and he was an active member of the local First Congregational Church. A man of deep religious conviction, he seamlessly integrated his faith with his commitment to scientific inquiry and education. This worldview directly influenced his teaching philosophy in Japan, where he emphasized character building alongside academic excellence. His personal papers and effects are held in archives at Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Category:1826 births Category:1886 deaths Category:American botanists Category:American expatriates in Japan Category:Amherst College alumni Category:University of Göttingen alumni