William S. Clark is not a name that strikes a chord with the American
public, let alone all but the most dedicated of the 19th century history
buffs. In both cases, all parties are 100% forgiven for their complete lack
of knowledge about this figure somewhat benign.
That is, at least in his native United States. The nation of Japan,
however, being more than 10,000 kilometers from his native state of
Massachusetts, a working man, and especially his words, immortalized in the
national consciousness. So who is this M. Clark?
Origins of an agricultural educator
William S. Clark in 1876 (50 years old)
William Smith Clark was born in the city of western Massachusetts Ashfield
in 1826. Growing up, he led an academic life, first graduating from Amherst
College nearby in 1848, and finally a PhD in chemistry Göttingen
University, known as the city of science in Germany.
Naturally, an academic career in the sciences is that M. Clark would become
& # 8217; s mainstay for most of his adult life. After returning to Amherst
in 1852, it will serve as a chemistry professor at his alma mater for the
next fifteen years. Its relatively long tenure will be briefly interrupted
during the civil war (1861-1865), where he served as a colonel with the
operational command of the 21st Regiment Massachusetts for approximately
fourteen months.
Specifically, his own regiment suffered around 30% losses in fighting
valiantly in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. This was the
single bloodiest day in the history of the United States, with more than 22
000 men on both sides either dead, wounded or missing before the clock
struck midnight.
Clark & # 8217; regiment fought and took heavy losses at Antietam, the
US's equivalent of Britain's first day on the Somme & # 8220;.
After returning to his civilian career more affirmation of life, he became
a central figure in the early history and the success of the Massachusetts
Agricultural College, which would eventually be renamed the University of
Massachusetts Amherst long after death in 1947.
Now quickly transmitted at 1870 s, his extensive experience in science
education, leadership in a new and innovative college and commendable
record of war would attract the attention of a rising nation far away. Mr.
Clark had no idea at the time that his decision to work in Japan set up for
immortality in the country as a national figure revered ambition and
encouragement.
The New Earth Rising Sun
1870 Yokohama, Japan.
Japan in the 1870 s was undergoing profound changes that have altered the
right company to it's core. After US Commodore Matthew C. Perry finally
opened forced the country to trade via & # 8216; & # 8217 gunboat
diplomacy; in 1854, the Japanese leadership was convinced they have any
heart embrace Western technology and customs, or else continuing their
policy of Sakoku (national isolation) would jeopardize their sovereignty.
As the Japanese feudal lord Shimazu Nariakira said in the 1850 s, if we
take the initiative, we can dominate; if we do not, let & # 8220
dominated;. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Japan quickly transformed from a feudal society in 1850 the world's first
non-Western industrial power at the end of time. The Yamato people
expressed a fundamental determination to succeed and not be subjugated, and
their government would take a great interest in M. Clark & # 8217; s
agricultural work over the years to achieve this goal.
Hokkaido, Japan. William Clark & # 8217; home for eight months.
During this period of rapid modernization, the Japanese government would
take in a large number of & # 8216; & # Oyatoi gaikokujin 8217; (Hired
foreigners). These were mostly Westerners who were aloud to reside
temporarily in Japan and teach a skilled trade or technology skills which
was lacking within the borders nations at the time. It was a very
prestigious and once in a lifetime opportunity to be sought as a committed
abroad and whatever the positions on offer were very well paid.
In 1876, a now-old William Clark 50 years was fortunate to have the right
combination of desired skills in agriculture, as well as many years of
accumulated experience in his trade, enough to impress the Japanese
government take the program on board. He sailed for the Japanese island of
Hokkaido north this year, what would become his new home home for the next
eight months.
Boys be ambitious!
Clark & # 8217; of Knowledge offers completely transformed the
agricultural landscape of Hokkaido and possibly Japan as a whole. He
presented the first American model farmyard in the country, and helped the
inhabitants of Hokkaido to adopt new crops and techniques in breeding fish
and animals, which would also eventually be taken to scale national.
Considering the country has a modern population of over 120 million's not a
bad legacy for the work of one man is it!
Over the months, M. Clark became aware of the enormous influence he had on
Hokkaido affairs, wrote to his wife in Massachusetts: "I shudder to think
how much trust is reposed in me and what responsibilities that I guess
every day & # 8221;.
Bust of William S. Clark modern Hokkaido University
With the great work he was doing, William Clark made fantastic relationship
with the first students of Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido
University), he helped establish shortly after their arrival in Japan. The
same teachings of morality he expressed as a teacher in Massachusetts, with
his rhetoric of ambition and personal success, resonated deeply with
students who were born in a system of rigid feudal caste only two decades
before.
Finally, there came the day that changed Japan forever. Mr. Clark & #
8217; starting April 16, 1877 saw a large number of students and faculty
ride with him nearly 20 kilometers outside of Sapporo, a mark of deep
respect for their teacher who had given so much relevant knowledge and
philosophical . After saying goodbye, Clark shouted & # 8230;
Boys be ambitious! (Be ambitious not for money or for selfish
glorification, not for that evanescent thing which men call fame. Be
ambitious for the realization of all that is to be a man).
The legacy and lessons of William Smith Clark
The statue of William S. Clark & # 8216; Observation Hill & # 8216;
Sapporo is a popular tourist attraction and attended by graduate students
in the city.
! Boys, be ambitious now legendary sentence of goodwill and encouragement
in Japan and elementary school books throughout the nation include Clark &
# 8217; s image with a brief history of his life. Eight months of work
that had been normal routine for him at home, with three parting words to
elevate the human spirit, had immortalized this gentleman otherwise
ordinary in the consciousness of the world s most successful companies and
populated.
If William Clark was resurrected for one day to attend Hokkaido modern, and
how his words would be instantly recognizable to untold millions of people
would be humiliated beyond the point of speech.
The lessons of this story is that being born in the right place and time in
history, as well as follow lucrative opportunities when they are presented,
can make all the difference in how you can influence local communities and
to remember it's future generations. So make the right choice, and have fun
doing it.
Meanwhile, the next time you visit Japan, be sure to drop Boys, be
ambitious and # 8221 !; any young man you come across that deserves
recognition. Whether it is a new friend, a sympathetic colleague, or even a
happy young boy living with his family, you are almost guaranteed to get a
smile and a sign of respect.
Read more: What men can learn the fascinating fate of the English explorer
William Adams
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