Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1886 — A Harvard Professor’s Joke. [ARTICLE]

A Harvard Professor’s Joke.

Here is an anecdote of Professor Sophocles, which probably has never been in print: The old Greek was catechising his class one day on the ancient history of his native country. “When did Theodophilus live?” he asked one sophomoTe. “Before Christ.” “Wrong,” shouted the Professor. And then addressing the next sophomore : “When did Theodophilus live ?” “After Christ.” “Wrong,” .shouted the Professor again. And then he repeated the question to a third student:. “When did Theodophilus live ?” “Neither before nor after Christ.” “You are right, young man,” said the Professor. “There never was any such man as Theodophilus. It was one of the little historical traps that Sophocles liked to set for the bidding wisdom of Harvard. Boston Record.