In 1913, after serving as...
Illustration
In 1913, after serving as President of the United States, William Howard Taft accepted a position at his alma mater, Yale College. He became Kent Professor of Law in Yale College and also professor of constitutional law at Yale Law School. At first Taft was a dull and an unexciting teacher. He used the recitation method, keeping close to the textbook and making a few personal comments. Once the novelty wore off of having a former president as a teacher, the students became bored with the class.
One day a small group of the more serious students went to Taft's office and confronted him with the situation. Taft, a big man in more ways than one, was not inflated with pride. He listened intently to the students. They suggested that instead of having the students recite, he should lecture to be followed by a brief written quiz.
Taft followed their recommendations. Soon his classes began to fascinate the students as he spoke freely out of his own considerable experience. He vividly described significant bills he signed as president, cases he argued before the Supreme Count and other personal recollections in public life. His class came alive for his students. He would agree with the wisdom writer that "pride was not made for men."
--Hasler
One day a small group of the more serious students went to Taft's office and confronted him with the situation. Taft, a big man in more ways than one, was not inflated with pride. He listened intently to the students. They suggested that instead of having the students recite, he should lecture to be followed by a brief written quiz.
Taft followed their recommendations. Soon his classes began to fascinate the students as he spoke freely out of his own considerable experience. He vividly described significant bills he signed as president, cases he argued before the Supreme Count and other personal recollections in public life. His class came alive for his students. He would agree with the wisdom writer that "pride was not made for men."
--Hasler
