Harold W. Browning
To celebrate the addition of Harold
W. Browning's papers into URI's Archives,
Special Collections and Archives has prepared an exhibit on the 2nd floor of the
Library
and a complimentary online sketch of Dr. Browning
Known as "Mr. URI" and called the "Mr. Chips of Little Rhody" by cartoonist Bob Coyne, referring to the beloved British schoolteacher in Goodbye, Mr. Chips, James Hilton's 1934 story (later made into a movie that remains a classic today), Harold W. Browning was literally man about the campus. During his 42 years at the University he served first as professor and head of the Botany Department, of which for a time he was the sole member. He soon recruited Botany faculty members who developed both undergraduate and graduate instruction and who achieved national and international recognition. His administrative role was expanded by the temporary additional duty of Acting Dean of Science in 1930-1931 and again in 1940-1941.
He left his duties in the Botany Department after 22 years there in 1942, when he was appointed to the triple administrative responsibilities of Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Vice President of the College, and Acting Dean of Men. A new Dean of Men was appointed five years later, but Dr. Browning continued to serve as both Dean of Arts and Sciences and Vice President for 18 years until 1960, when a new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences was appointed.
By his ability, hard work, scholarship, and dedication to serving others, he contributed to the evolution of Rhode Island State College into a major university by advocating the change from a technically oriented college into a broad-spectrum institution that would become the University of Rhode Island.
Hailing from Matunuck, R.I., Harold Browning graduated from South Kingstown High School and went on to attended college at Rhode Island State College. The College at that time consisted of 32 faculty members, three graduate students and 142 undergraduates. He earned highest honors, graduating in 1914 with a degree in Botany while also being very active in college life. He served as president of the Athletic Association, president of his junior class, managing editor of the student paper, The Beacon, and associate editor of The Grist. He was one of 27 charter members and sometime president of the Eta chapter of the fraternity, Theta Chi. He was elected a member of Phi Kappa Phi at the end of his junior year in 1913.
After graduating from the college, he was awarded a graduate assistantship and later a fellowship to sustain his graduate studies in Botany at the University of Wisconsin, which led to a Master of Science degree in 1916. During the years 1917 and 1918, Dr. Browning served with the Navy and worked in the Hospital Corp. in the post-war reserves. His military duties included work on detection of spinal meningitis, syphilis, and establishment of tests for different types of pneumonia. The Navy then transferred Dr. Browning to the Bureau of Ordinances to work on the development of explosives. Following his military service, he returned to the University of Wisconsin to complete his Ph.D. During the last year of his graduate studies there, he was instructor in Botany. In 1920 he returned to Rhode Island State to become professor of botany and head of the department; a post he held until 1942.
Having been such an integral part of the growth of the school, it was only fitting that on the College’s 50th anniversary convocation, Dr. Browning delivered the keynote address, "Highlights on the Highway of Service, An Historical Address" (The address was scanned from the original in Dean Browning's files. Typographical errors and Dr. Browning's emphases were maintained in the electronic version as much as possible.)
He has also held many other positions during his years in Rhode Island; He was the first Director of Graduate Studies from 1932 to 1942, Chairman of the Committee on Graduate Studies from 1920 to 1942, Dean of Men from 1942 to 1947, Dean of Arts and Sciences, 1942 to 1960, and Vice President, 1942 to 1962. In addition, Dr. Browning attended several summer sessions at Harvard. Rhode Island State College became an Army training center during World War II, for the Army Specialized Training Program designed for instructing men in underground activities. Dr. Browning participated as one of the directors of this program. The post-war years were trying ones mainly because, as Dr. Browning stated, ''You can't train men to kill and expect them to behave normally" (From the 1962 Cell dedication.)
He was author of a number of articles on botany and several laboratory manuals but his great interest was in local history, delivering many talks and papers on the subject.
He also held a number of important off-campus civic posts, including chairman of the Narragansett District, Boy Scouts of America, and a past Grand Master of the Rhode Island Lodge of Masons. He was president of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches from 1953-1954, and a member of the Kingston Congregational Church.
In 1977, Dr. Browning was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame for his many contributions to Rhode Island.
He held honorary degrees from Bryant College, Rhode Island College as well as his alma mater. Dr. Browning received a plaque from the Departments of Biology and Geology upon the rededication of Ranger Hall in 1956. Browning Hall dormitory was named after him when he retired in 1962.
After retiring from URI, he went
on to serve a three-year term as an alumni representative on the Board of
Trustees of State Colleges from 1963 to 1966.
Dr. Harold W. Browning died at the age of 94 on May 27, 1987.