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Francis Andrew March (October 25, 1825–September 9, 1911) was an American polymath, academic, philologist, and lexicographer. He is considered the principal founder of modern comparative linguistics in Anglo-Saxon. March applied the methods of studying the Latin and Greek classics towards the study of English literature, and led the way for the first scientific study of the English language. Born in Millbury, Massachusetts, March occupied the chair of English language and comparative philology at Lafayette College (located in Easton, Pennsylvania) from 1857 to 1907. It was the first post of its kind. March was one of the first professors to advocate and teach English in colleges and universities. Amongst other subjects taught botany, French, German, Greek, Latin, "mental philosophy", political economy, the Constitution, and law. He also served as president of the American Philological Association (1873-1874; 1895-1896); the Spelling Reform Association (after 1876); and of the Modern Language Association (1891-1893).
Works Death and Legacy March died at Easton, Pennsylvania. A chaired professorship now exists at Lafayette College to honor his achievements in the field of English. Sources | ||||||||
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