In Homage to Our Founder; a Brief Biography ofReverend Julius Aloysious Nieuwland, C.S.C.

Abstract

This year we celebrate a century of scientific publishing at The American Midland Naturalist. Few scientific journals have such a lengthy and distinguished history (Mclntosh, 1990). An essential element to journal success and longevity is highly skilled and dedicated editors. In this respect The American Midland Naturalist has been especially fortunate. This essay will focus on the founder of The American Midland Naturalist, and the first editor, Reverend Julius A. Nieuwland, C.S.C. Nieuwland was born in the small town of Hansbeke, Belgium, 14 February 1878 (Archives). His time in Belgium was brief; by the age of three the Nieuwland family had moved to the United States and settled in South Bend, Indiana (Froning, 1942). South Bend had a large Flemish-speaking Belgian community and several relatives of the Nieuwland family lived in the area. Little is known concerning Nieuwland's childhood. He began school in 1884 at Saint Mary's parochial school, where he learned English. Like most children given the opportunity, Julius displayed a great interest in nature. He spent much of his youth collecting and examining plants, insects, bird eggs, snakes and virtually any other living thing he could find. A fascination with the natural world would remain throughout his lifetime.