Kelsie B. Harder
Encyclopedia
Kelsie Brown Harder was an American
professor and onomastician (name scholar).
after World War II
, he earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in English from Vanderbilt University
, then a Ph.D. from University of Florida
. Starting his career at Youngstown State University
, he joined SUNY Potsdam in 1964. During his long career at SUNY Potsdam he nurtured the talents of younger writers, "in particular the novelist T. Coreghessan Boyle and poet Allen Hoey
."
He headed the American Name Society
and edited their publication. He also headed the usage committee of the American Dialect Society
. He served as director of the Place Name Survey of the United States, and in 1990 gave the keynote address at the Library of Congress
on the 100th anniversary of the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Harder died of congestive heart failure
in Potsdam, New York
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professor and onomastician (name scholar).
Biography
Harder was born in Perry County, Tennessee. After serving in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in English from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
, then a Ph.D. from University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. Starting his career at Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
, he joined SUNY Potsdam in 1964. During his long career at SUNY Potsdam he nurtured the talents of younger writers, "in particular the novelist T. Coreghessan Boyle and poet Allen Hoey
Allen Hoey
Allen Hoey was an American poet, novelist, and literary critic who received numerous honors during his lifetime, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his 2008 collection of poems Country Music.-Life:...
."
He headed the American Name Society
American Name Society
The American Name Society, founded in 1951, is a learned society founded "to promote onomastics, the study of names and naming practices, both in the United States and abroad [and] to investigate cultural insights, settlement history, and linguistic characteristics revealed in names." Its...
and edited their publication. He also headed the usage committee of the American Dialect Society
American Dialect Society
The American Dialect Society, founded in 1889, is a learned society "dedicated to the study of the English language in North America, and of other languages, or dialects of other languages, influencing it or influenced by it." The Society publishes the academic journal, American Speech...
. He served as director of the Place Name Survey of the United States, and in 1990 gave the keynote address at the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
on the 100th anniversary of the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Harder died of congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
in Potsdam, New York
Potsdam (town), New York
Potsdam is a town located in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 15,957 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 13676. The town is named after the city of Potsdam in Germany...
.