Lincoln Wirt, explorer, lecturer, author

              LINCOLN WIRT
Explorer, Lecturer, Author
Art Institute, Chicago
February 2, 1912.
Last night at Fullerton Hall, Art Institute, the 1000 members of the Polytechnic Society of Chicago gave their en¬thusiastic approval to Lincoln Wirt and his wonderful lecture on the "Conquest of the Arctic."
He kept his audience spellbound for an hour and three quarters, and at the close the sponta¬neous applause called him before the curtain many times.
Speakers of national and international fame have given us of their best, but this graphic re¬cital of adventure and achievement in the des¬olate north-land thrilled every listener as never before in the nine years of our lecture course.
Lorado Taft, President
Ralph Holmes, Secretary
MRS. John B. Sherwood, Vice-President and Chairman
THE CONQUEST OF THE ARCTIC
Arctic Exploration with Canoe and Dog Train
This is not a dry as dust lecture, but the graphic recital of the most unusual story of achievement and adventure since Peary’s Discovery of the Pole.
WHO IS LINCOLN WIRT
THE    CHICAGO   INTER-OCEAN editorially  answered this question which so   many  are   asking,   by saying :   "He is a worthy mem¬ber of the Great Race of Amer¬ican Pioneers.   In walking 1200 miles through the storms and darkness of an Arctic winter to bring relief to his imperiled comrades,  he has  shown a spirit deserving of all praise.    Even the most hysterical Atkinsonian will have good words for Mr. Wirt."
Explorer, Author, Lecturer, former Government Commissioner, Territorial Superintendent of Educa¬tion, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society—Patri¬otic American Citizen. His name is a household word in his own state, California, where the State Univer¬sity, Stanford University, and scores of educational institutions, the Press and the Public have unquali¬fiedly expressed their pride in his achievements and his remarkable gifts as a platform speaker.
Out of hundreds of such testimonies we have only room for a few abbreviations :
"Founded first hospital in Northern Alaska."
"Established public schools nearest the North Pole."
"Explored vast unknown regions and blazed the trail over which the U. S. Mail Route is now established."—U. S. History.
"Mr. Wirt has lectured for us three times. For entertainment, for realistic word painting, for information and eloquence these lectures surpass all others given here." — S. B. Wilson, Supt. of Sctwols, Placerville, Cal.
Delivered with exceeding good taste; was thrillingly interest¬ing from first to last." — Dr. Wm. M. Guth, Pres't University
of the Pacific.
"Splendid ! a fascinating, thrilling recital." — Mrs. Frank Fredericks, Pres't To Kalon Club, San Francisco.
"Able, realistic, admirable! we felt acquainted with the very dogs." — Mrs. A. A. Fowler, Pres't Woman s Club, San Jose, Cal.
"Inspiring from beginning to end." — Dr. Luella Carson, Pres't Mills College.
"It was great! Opera House crowded; audience captivated; everybody talking about it." — W. H. Parker, Yreka, Cal.
"No address ever held our entire body of students so captivated by interest and delight." — Dr. J. F. Millspaugh, Pres't Los Angeles State Normal.
"A splendid story teller; a most charming raconteur." — Los Angeles Times.
"Addressed the Assembly three times, and three times more would not have satisfied it." — Detroit Press.
"Made a big hit; received with greatest enthusiasm; was perfect in every way." — Dr. William Rader, 1st Presb. Church, San Francisco.
"Gave his audience many a hearty laugh." — Toowoomba Chronicle.
"Moved us to tears and laughter." — J. C. Southwell, Cornwall, England.
"Captured our admiration and affection." — Dr. Burford Hooke, London, England.
"Made us feel the awe of the universe." — J. P. S. Bodmin, England.
"Packed our largest hall; enraptured a vast Manchester audience." — N. M. Hennessy, Manchester, England.
"The humor, the pathos, the ever varying freshness — it was wonderful. He charmed every hearer, touched every heart, instructed every mind." — W. E. Randall, Walthamstow, England.
"I have never seen anything like it. He kept a London audi¬ence spellbound an hour after Londoners usually take to their cabs and motors." — Price Holmes, Esq., London, England.
"No more thrilling story was ever heard in the City of Belfast." — K. M. Kerr, Director Grosvenor Hall.
Note  these  very recent  comments  from Stanford University :
Mr. Wirt's story is the most vivid and thrilling narrative I ever listened to.
Dr. Grenfell's "Afloat on an Ice Floe" is the only other account of personal adventure to which I can at all compare it in gripping interest. —Professor Lee Emerson Bassett, Department of English.
FROM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
This lecture should be heard by every loyal American, The lecturer is a gentleman of large public and professional experience; an admirable example of platform efficiency; genial, polished, and direct. The lecture is both scholarly and popular, and can¬not fail to both entertain and instruct all who hear it. I commend both the matter and form of the address, and not the least the courtesy and culture and admirable qualities of the lecturer. — Professor Richard G. Boone, Ph.D., Department of Education.
FROM ALAMEDA HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Wirt's lecture before the Unitarian Club and later before the High School was certainly one of the most graphic narratives that we have ever heard. Every one in both these audiences was held absolutely spell-bound, and when after he had spoken two hours it was necessary for us to go home, we all went with feelings of regret.
I consider this lecture of TREMENDOUS EDUCATIONAL VALUE, both for the old and young, and wish each successive class of my students could hear it. — George G. Thompson, Ph.D., Principal.
FROM   THE   SUPERIOR    COURT   OF   CALIFORNIA Feb. 25, 1912.
Considerable attention is being given, at the present time, to the solution of problems affecting our Most Northern Domain.
To those who are interested in such problems I unqualifiedly commend the lecture by Lincoln WTirt, in which he gives a most vivid insight into the mysteries of our far-off Arctic wilds.
His large audience here gave him rapt attention from the be¬ginning, and many and emphatic expressions of approval at the close.    It was inspiring. — Benjamin F. Bledsoe, Superior Judge