William Smith Clark

William S. Clark was born at Ashfield in Massachusetts in 1826 and moved to Easthampton at the age of eight. After graduating from a seminary of the town in 1844, he entered Amherst University in Massachusetts. His father was a doctor, who had eight children and Clark called himself "a young student in poverty "and earned his school expenses selling collectors rare stones and fossils that he hunted for.

Amherst University was a religious institution at that time. Clark was absorbed in a traveler's biography when he was a senior student at the college. The traveler was bold, vigorous and patient and was confident that he would succeed in his attempt.

Even if he failed in his work, he was never discouraged with that. However poor he may be, he always went ahead toward his goal.

Clark felt a deep sympathy to the ambitious and earnest man who had ended his life experiencing bitter despair. He sympathized with "Heaven helps those who help themselves" written by Benjamin Franklin.

In 1852, two years after studying at George-August -University, he got a doctorate in mine studying falling stone and became lecturer of agriculture, chemistry and German at the university in fall of that year. He was an earnest teacher whose class was active. He married a girl whose name was Harriet Williston.

In 1861 when the Civil War broke up, Clark gathered students volunteers and organized a volunteer corps and went to the battle field to defend Republican institutions and the freedom of man. He experienced a kind of heroism during the war. In 1862 he was promoted Brigadier General but his passion for the war began to evaporate. He deplored how many brave great men lost their lives fruitlessly and retired from the post in 1863.

Back in his native place, he initiated a movement to build a agriculture college in Amherst and in 1867 Massachusetts Agriculture College was opened. Clark became the first president, who taught gardening and biology. They said that he had told his students his rich experience and anecdotes showing much data and that his teaching was popular among the students. But he stepped down as the president after eight years because he was confronted with the school administration.

Arinori Mori, councilor of Japanese Embassy proposed the Government to establish such an agriculture college as Massachusetts Agriculture College to teach agriculture and military training.

Clark accepted the advisory position of Sapporo Agriculture College planned by the Japanese government offered through the Education Board in Connecticut. He thought that his new job was a good opportunity to raise the evaluation of Massachusetts Agriculture College. He was proud that Massachusetts Agriculture College was chosen as a model school of Sapporo Agriculture College from among agriculture colleges in the world.

In 1876 Clark came to Japan with two fellows of his alma mater. The day when Clark reached in Sapporo fell on his 50th birthday. Clark was received from the Japanese Government better than he had expected. Kiyotaka Kuroda promised to cooperate with Clark as much as possible to see him. Clark was given a good impression to Japan and was satisfied with the climate of Hokkaido. Clark and his colleagues could lead comfortable life in Sapporo.

In August 1876 Sapporo Agriculture College was opened with Hirotake Zusho, president, Clark, vice president, his fellows and 50 students. First Clark thought that his chief work was to found a college and teaching was secondary. However his good skill of teaching was spread among the students. Clark wrote to his family that it was pleasant to teach Japanese students and that they were hardworking, polite, and grateful. The pleasure of the boarding school students was to visit Clark's house and to listen to his much experience. Why the students became Christians was because of the influence of Clark's faith. Clark also encouraged his students to be ambitious. Therefore when he was going to leave Sapporo 10 months later, he said to them, "Boys, be ambitious".

In July 1877 he went back to Amherst for the first time since last April. Clark introduced letters from his former students on the local paper and kept up connection with Japan through them. Then Massachusetts Agriculture College was in financial crisis and Clark's policy was criticized with both the students and the paper. In 1878 he resigned from president of the college and was scheduled to be president of a floating university financed by a man. But the planning did not realize because of the shortage of the applicants and the man's death. After that he started an investment company with editor of a mine paper and at one time made a lot of money but he failed in the enterprise. In fact his life ended then and was embarrassed with the trial become involved in his bankruptcy. He, who was sick in bed in later years was comforted by the letters from his former Japanese students. Clark recalled that teaching and evangelistic activity in Japan were the best days in life for him.

Clark died at the age of 59 in Massachusetts in 1886. Among his former students were Inazo Nitobe, Kanzo Uchimura and other prominent people of every field. They had a memorial service for Clark next day when they knew of his death.

He was one of the people who contributed to modern Japan.