WI BIO - Dane Co - TOLMAN, Herbert Cushing
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 442-443

Professor Herbert Cushing TOLMAN, Ph. D., professor of Sanskrit in the 
University of WI, widely and favorably known as a ripe scholar and cultured 
gentleman, was born in South Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 04 
November 1865. His parents, James and Mary (BRIGGS) TOLMAN, were natives of 
Scituate, MA, where they were reared and married. On the paternal side, 
Professor TOLMAN is eighth in descent from John ALDEN, who came over in the 
"Mayflower" from England. His maternal ancestors were equally illustrious, 
having come to America from England about he time of the Revolution, settling 
in Massachusetts. Their name was originally "BRIDGE" (French, "DU PONT"), 
which has been corrupted to "BRIGGS." Professor TOLMAN's father, who was a 
tack manufacturer of South Scituate, removed thence to Hanover [Plymouth 
County], MA, when the subject of this sketch was fourteen years of age, where 
they have ever since resided. They were the parents of two children: the 
subject of this notice and [p 443] a daughter, Morgianna, who is instructor 
in French in the high school at Albington [Abington in Plymouth County?], 
Massachusetts.

Professor TOLMAN obtained his preparatory education in the public schools of 
his native town. At the age of fourteen years he entered the Rockland High 
School, whence he was graduated in 1884. That same year he entered Yale 
College, graduating in 1888, with the degree of A. B. While there he was the 
recipient of the Freshman's premium for Latin composition and in the junior 
year he was awarded the Berkley prize for Latin and Greek scholarship, and 
was chosen member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. He was one of twelve chosen 
to deliver addresses on Commencement day, and was given the appointment of a 
three years' fellowship in Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. Two years later he 
received the degree of Philosphieae Doctor, and was made Assistant in 
Indo-European language at Yale College. After one year in this position, he 
resigned to accept one in the University of Wisconsin, which he assumed in 
the fall of 1891. In 1892 he was appointed assistant professor of Sanskrit, 
which position he now holds.

Besides his labors as an instructor, the Professor has done much literary 
work. He and President W. R. HARPER, of the Chicago University, have 
collaborated in the writing of a textbook, of eight books, of Caesar's Gallic 
Wars. Professor TOLMAN has also written an Old Persian Grammar and a 
translation of Persian inscriptions. In connection with Professor Alexander 
KERR, of the Wisconsin University, he has edited the Gospel of Matthew in 
Greek. He has assisted in editing several other texts of the classical 
authors. Professor TOLMAN is at present engaged in writing a couple of 
indices of words to the Sanskrit Sutras.

The Professor was elected a member of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great 
Britain and Ireland (M. R. A. S.), and received from that honored English 
society an invitation to become a contributor in Oriental subjects to its 
journal. Few instructors are better qualified for their work that Professor 
TOLMAN, who brings to his position eminent ability, a wide experience, and 
unusual energy.

On 26 August 1891 Herbert Cushing TOLMAN was married to Mary B. WELLS, of 
Wethersfield [Hartford County], Connecticut, a native of Jacksonville [St. 
Johns or Duval County?], Florida, who was educated in the Female Seminary in 
New Britain, Connecticut, and was for three years in the Yale School of Fine 
Arts. Both he and his wife belong to the Congregational Church, to which 
they render much valuable aid. 

Submitted by Cathy Kubly