Herbert Ellsworth Slaught

Abstract

Professor Herbert Ellsworth Slaught, honorary president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, passed away on May 21, 1937, at his home in Chicago in his seventy-sixth year. Professor Slaught's death removes from the scene of action one of the most devoted servants of the cause of mathematics in this country. For many years he was active not only in the affairs of the National Council, but also in those of the Mathematical Association of America, The American Mathematical Society, the Central Association of Science and Mathematics Teachers and several local organizations. He was a leader in the best sense. He was interested not only in promulgating and encouraging research activities, but was also active in stimulating others to study and improve the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools. He was instrumental in founding the Mathematical Association of America in 1916, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1920. His death is a distinct loss to all the mathematical organizations that he served so long and so well.