Geographic Dept. May Be Reinstituted

It is "very likely that Harvard will have a Geography Department next year," Myron P. Gilmore, chairman of the History Department, predicted yesterday.

Courses in geography have been included in the Geology Department since the death of the University's only professor in the field, Derwin Whittlesey, two years ago.

The final decision on resumption of the Department will be influenced by recommendations from Henry C. Darby, professor of Geography at University College, London, who will serve as visiting lecturer during the spring term.

In addition to teaching two courses in historical geography, including one restricted to graduate students, Darby will "judge how much student interest there is in the field and advise us on what to do about Geography in the future," Gilmore commented.

"Many departments are obviously interested in re-establishing the Geography Department," Gilmore continued. "Historical geography would supplement our studies; the Economics Department would like economic geography, and so on."

Edwin O. Reischauer, director of the Center for Far Eastern Studies, noted that "any of us interested in non-Western geography will be happy to see the Department instituted. It would supplement our courses and help students learn about parts of the world not normally covered in history courses."

"There would be no complications arising from conflicting departmental interests in geography," Reischauer asserted.