Professor Pyre is another teacher whom Wisconsin can claim as
wholly her own. He was born in 1871 in Rock County, and
graduated at our University in 1892. While teaching English
in his Alma Mater, he continued his graduate study, and was
given his Ph. D. in 1897. He continued to serve his
University, though for a brief space of time pursuing his
study elsewhere, and became associate professor in 1909,
which position he now holds.
No former student of the University reading this volume will
be content with this sketch of Mr. Pyre without reference to
his undergraduate football days, and to the nickname "Sunny,"
which will cling to him as long as he lives. Furthermore, no
one who has sat in his classes and been inspired by his
reading and his interpretation, and felt the optimism of his
philosophy will need to have it explained to him how Mr. Pyre
acquired his nickname.
The outstanding feature of his literary criticism, whether in
the form of magazine article, or lecture, or informal talk,
is clarity. In his class you could always understand what he
was getting at. The reader of this brief selection from
"Byron in Our Day," will sense that quality readily. The
sentences are crisp and well formed. Their structure is not
involved. The plan and organization are evident. At the same
time there is dignity and distinction in every paragraph.