Harlan Hoge Ballard

Harlan Hoge Ballard was born on May 26, 1853 in Athens, Ohio. He was the son of the Rev. Addison Ballard and Julia Perkins Ballard, a writer of nature books and temperance fiction.[1] Ballard attended public school in Athens and Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Williams College in 1874.[1][2][3]

Upon graduating, he became principal of Lenox High School until 1880 and principal of Lenox Academy from 1880 to 1886.[1][2][3]

In 1903 he was appointed the first curator of the Berkshire Museum of Natural History and Art.[4][5] He remained as curator until early 1931,[6][7][8] giving up the position when the museum and library became separate institutions.[9]

In 1875, he founded the Agassiz Association, an organization dedicated to the promotion of natural science, especially among young people. By the 1890s, membership numbered over 20,000 people.[10]

On August 20, 1879, he married Lucy Bishop Pike.[4]

In 1886, he left teaching for literary efforts. He edited The Swiss Cross, the Agassiz Association monthly magazine, and the newspaper the New York Observer. He published numerous books, including a translation of Virgil's Aeneid (1930).[2]

He became librarian of the Berkshire Athenaeum on November 1, 1888.[2] He also served as President of the Western Massachusetts Library Club.[11]

Harlan Hoge Ballard died of a heart attack on 18 February 1934 in Pittsfield.[12] He was survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.[4] A memorial fund was established in his name by his daughter,[9] in about 1952.[13]

His published works include:

• Three Kingdoms
• World of Nature
• Open Sesame
• One Thousand Blunders in English
• Barnes Readers
• The Tyler's Jewel