Former Teacher Biographies

Joseph Esser ( - ), Principal Teacher of Modern Languages
 

Herr Esser left St. Andrews on Friday. 30th May, to spend a holiday at Crefeld in Germany where his sister and his nephew, Professor Schwarzmann, reside. He hopes to return to St. Andrews to settle down to the enjoyment of a well-deserved pension.

Herr Esser was born in a little village near the celebrated town of Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), the residence of Charlemagne. He enjoyed the privilege of a complete course of training in a German gymnasium —a classical school—hence his habit of quoting passages from the classics to his pupils. For several years he studied Philology, Modern Languages, and Higher Mathematics at the University of Gottingen, one of the finest Universities on the Continent. On the completion of his studies and after serving in the army as a one-year's volunteer, he proceeded to Montreux in French Switzerland, and afterwards to Paris, for the sake of acquiring a more thorough conversational knowledge of the French language.

In order to improve his English he next proceeded to Scotland, which he found so much to his liking that he has resided here ever since. His first situation was in the Collegiate School, Greenock, where he remained for six years, and where he taught not only modern languages but also Classics and Mathematics. For about three years he was assistant in the department of Modern Languages in Ayr Academy, teaching also a special class in Latin for the University preliminary examination, and discharging his duties with conspicuous ability and success. He left Ayr to fulfil the important position of Headmaster of the Modern Languages Department of the Royal Academy, Inverness. A year later, on the re-organisation of the Madras College, he was appointed Principal Master of Modern Languages, and here for twenty-four years he has laboured to the entire satisfaction of the Governors and to the eminent advantage of the youth of the city. During his tenure at Madras College he served for several terms as a Member of the Joint Board of Examiners of St. Andrews University.

As a thoroughly efficient and successful teacher he has won encomiums from all who have had any knowledge of his work, and the success of his pupils in the University and leaving Certificate Examinations has all along been marked. Speaking of his successes at the Leaving Examinations in 1894, Principal Sir James Donaldson, then Chairman of the Governors of the Madras College, stated that "Herr Esser had had no failures in the examinations, and that four pupils had passed with honours, this being comparatively rare. He thought they should be proud of Herr Esser's achievement." As recently as this year all his pupils presented in higher grade German have passed successfully after a course of study of only a year and a half. But examinations are by no means the best test of a teacher's work. Earnestness, zeal, indefatigability, patience, tact, method, and precision not only produce good results in examinations but make an impression on the character of the pupils which is of infinitely greater value. Discipline obtained by strength of character, industry secured by example as much as by precept, enthusiasm for study caught from one much loved and respected, leave their mark. Thoroughness is the great feature of his work as it is of his character, both are sound and substantial. His marking of his exercises was characterised by the same qualities of thoroughness and fairness. No pupil could ever charge him with bias or injustice. Strict he may have been, but thoughtlessly harsh and unkind never; and his severity was confined to the lesson hour; that over, he was his pupils' friend and confidant. He is proud of their affection, and the many letters breathing love, gratitude, and esteem, as well as those expressing sympathy with him in his affliction, have been a source of great pleasure. Straightforwardness, down-rightness, and industry he admired and practised, and only the lazy and dishonest found his class and company uncongenial. His friends know him as a kindly, genial, unassuming man, who has practised moderation in everything. The methodical habits of the class-room are only a part of the regularity which governs his every action. His work and his recreation were arranged and carried out with un-varying regularity. His friends can tell to a minute what he is doing at any time of the day. Walking and cycling are his favourite recreations, and he can still, in spite of the unfortunate accident which befell him last December, enjoy a long walk into the country. He is a man of strong convictions which he seldom obtrudes upon others, although when occasion requires he can voice his opinions with considerable force. He enjoys good conversation, relishes and tells a good story, and his hearty laugh is contagious. Possessing a thorough knowledge of the institutions of his native land, he is much amused by the ignorance displayed by newspaper writers and platform speakers, particularly at election times. His grasp of German educational systems is likewise the cause of his occasional dilations on the comparative excellence of Gorman methods and indeed his love for Germany has not lessened although he has so long made Scotland his adopted country. The whole community will wish him improved health and a long enjoyment of his well-earned retirement.

Extract from Letter from Mr. Esser to Mr. Mackenzie.

I sincerely thank the present pupils of the Madras who have presented me with such handsome gifts which I shall highly value all my life. My best wishes and good luck to them. I hope that those who enter a profession reach the highest position, and that those who go in for business will all become Carnegies and then substantially remember the dear old Madras.

The Testimonial I have received from the Old Boys and Girls of Madras College and from some friends has given me peculiar pleasure, and I regret very much that I cannot shake hands with them individually and say " thank you."

Since my break down in health I have received many letters of sympathy from my former pupils—letters which I shall always cherish. The Testimonial, I understand, has been numerously subscribed to. I am proud of that and of the evidence it has called forth that the hours spent in the Modern Language Rooms were happy and profitable hours. I have for almost a quarter of a century taught in Madras College, have learned to love it, and I feel deeply severing my connection with the old place which has so many happy memories for me.

I cannot conclude these few remarks without heartily thanking the Governors of the School for the generous wav they have treated me all along.

After a short visit to Germany I hope to return to St. Andrews. Au revoir
J. ESSER