Unique Rhodesman

The bright, energetic young men who are selected for Rhodes Scholarships from U. S. universities appear to have curious careers once they arrive in England. Certain carping critics insist that the Scholars antagonize the British by their lack of even U. S. breeding, and are hence driven to seek their own disagreeable company. Gentler observers opine that the Scholars have not enough patience to pierce the British reserve. But whether or not there really are such conflicts as these, few can recall ever having heard of a Rhodes Scholar who was famed in England for anything more scholarly than his ability to pull an oar.

Last week a dark, slightly exhausted looking young Oxonian with a long nose was loudly cheered when the Oxford University Dramatic Society, of which he is president, staged his production of Macbeth. Oxford's incomparably languid esthetes gathered afterward and drawled their appreciation far into the night--they praised the producer for the simplicity and emotion he had achieved, for his blending of hues, his startling evocation of Banquo's ghost. They devised precious phrases to explain his innuendos.

The name of the young man who called forth this unusual and cultivated acclaim is Brewster Morgan. He hails from Kansas City. He is a Rhodes Scholar and the first U. S. president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. I. B. Morgan, Brewster's father, is Kansas City's superintendent of schools. The son is 24, attended the University of Kansas where he was famed both academically and socially. More than anything else at college he enjoyed those informal talks and arguments which U. S. undergraduates call "bull sessions." Co-eds termed him "an interesting date." He slept, ate and studied erratically, suffered violent headaches and worked at a dishevelled desk, but was an honor student for four years and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In addition he edited college periodicals, produced and acted in all manner of college plays, was a member of a debating team which defeated Oxford. While still an undergraduate he went to Chicago and was awarded first place for acting in the National Little Theatre Tournament (1925). After his graduation in 1926 he taught history at the University.

Last year at Oxford he directed Othello, first non-professionally coached production of the Dramatic Society. He is writing a biography of Metternich and will finish his Rhodes Scholarship term this summer--unique among the 750 U. S. specimens which have thus far been officially submitted to Oxonian scrutiny.

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