From: The National Cyclopedia of American Biography (Published 1938)

EDWARD H. KRAUS
(1875-1973)

Professor Edward H. Kraus, founder and former chairman of the Department of Mineralogy, Emeritus Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, former Dean of the School of Pharmacy, former Dean of the Summer Session, co-founder and President of the Mineralogical Society of America and a mineralogist-crystallographer of international stature, died February 3, 1973, at the age of 97. Beginning in 1904 he served The University of Michigan with energy, skill and wisdom in an extraordinary diversity of capacities for 42 years. Ave atque vale!

Born in Syracuse, New York, on December 1, 1875, Dean Kraus received both his BS (1896) and MS (1897) from the University of Syracuse. In 1901 he was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Munich after completing a dissertation under the celebrated crystallographer Paul Groth. To Kraus' astonished delight this degree was renewed by the University of Munich on September 15, 1952, inasmuch as its degrees are valid for but half a century, and renewals are contingent on the superior quality of the interim accomplishments of the temporary doctorants.

On June 24, 1902 Dean Kraus married Lena Margaret Hoffman, who survives, as does a son, Professor John Draus of Ohio State University, and several grandchildren.

Dean Kraus began his career at The University of Michigan in 1904 as an Assistant Professor of Mineralogy, rising quickly to full professor and chairman in 1908. Continuously from 1908 until his retirement he also served the University in numerous other administrative positions:

1908-1912 Executive Secretary to the Administrative Council of the Graduate School, which functioned prior to the establishment of the Rackham Graduate School.

1911-1933 Acting Dean and then Dean (1915) of the Summer Session.

1920-1933 Acting Dean and then Dean (1923) of the College of Pharmacy.

1933-1945 Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

To the published record, chiefly in mineralogy, but also in education and pharmacy, Dean Kraus contributed nearly 100 papers and co-authored three books. One of these, Gems and Gem Materials, persists as a standard reference work. Dean Kraus was a leader in organizational efforts that resulted in the founding of the Mineralogical Society of America in 1919, became its first president in 1920, and its second honorary president from 1954 until his death. From his interests in gems derived his long association with the Gemological Institute of America, of which he served as president from 1946. He held membership in nearly three dozen professional and honorary societies, fifty percent of which he served either as president, chairman, petitioner, and charter member, or honorary fellow.

To this immense investment of professional energy there accrued a high return of polygenetic interest. Seven honorary degrees and titles graced him. In 1945 he was Russel Lecturer for The University of Michigan and in the same year became the Roebling Medalist of the Mineralogical Society of America.

With his passing, pre-War II University life re-emerges for a brief, shadowy glimpse. That the University structure is administratively sound today stems to a considerable degree from the stout foundations constructed by "The Dean" three decades ago.

~ E. William Heinrich

EDWARD H. KRAUS
(1875-1973)

Professor Edward H. Kraus, founder and former chairman of the Department of Mineralogy, Emeritus Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, former Dean of the School of Pharmacy, former Dean of the Summer Session, co-founder and President of the Mineralogical Society of America and a mineralogist-crystallographer of international stature, died February 3, 1973, at the age of 97. Beginning in 1904 he served The University of Michigan with energy, skill and wisdom in an extraordinary diversity of capacities for 42 years. Ave atque vale!

Born in Syracuse, New York, on December 1, 1875, Dean Kraus received both his BS (1896) and MS (1897) from the University of Syracuse. In 1901 he was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Munich after completing a dissertation under the celebrated crystallographer Paul Groth. To Kraus' astonished delight this degree was renewed by the University of Munich on September 15, 1952, inasmuch as its degrees are valid for but half a century, and renewals are contingent on the superior quality of the interim accomplishments of the temporary doctorants.

On June 24, 1902 Dean Kraus married Lena Margaret Hoffman, who survives, as does a son, Professor John Draus of Ohio State University, and several grandchildren.

Dean Kraus began his career at The University of Michigan in 1904 as an Assistant Professor of Mineralogy, rising quickly to full professor and chairman in 1908. Continuously from 1908 until his retirement he also served the University in numerous other administrative positions:

1908-1912 Executive Secretary to the Administrative Council of the Graduate School, which functioned prior to the establishment of the Rackham Graduate School.

1911-1933 Acting Dean and then Dean (1915) of the Summer Session.

1920-1933 Acting Dean and then Dean (1923) of the College of Pharmacy.

1933-1945 Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

To the published record, chiefly in mineralogy, but also in education and pharmacy, Dean Kraus contributed nearly 100 papers and co-authored three books. One of these, Gems and Gem Materials, persists as a standard reference work. Dean Kraus was a leader in organizational efforts that resulted in the founding of the Mineralogical Society of America in 1919, became its first president in 1920, and its second honorary president from 1954 until his death. From his interests in gems derived his long association with the Gemological Institute of America, of which he served as president from 1946. He held membership in nearly three dozen professional and honorary societies, fifty percent of which he served either as president, chairman, petitioner, and charter member, or honorary fellow.

To this immense investment of professional energy there accrued a high return of polygenetic interest. Seven honorary degrees and titles graced him. In 1945 he was Russel Lecturer for The University of Michigan and in the same year became the Roebling Medalist of the Mineralogical Society of America.

With his passing, pre-War II University life re-emerges for a brief, shadowy glimpse. That the University structure is administratively sound today stems to a considerable degree from the stout foundations constructed by "The Dean" three decades ago.

~ E. William Heinrich

From: The National Cyclopedia of American Biography (Published 1938)