Foster
Foster names 2 different subjects across the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. Each is set out below.
Foster JOHN WATSON, an American statesman and diplomat
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JOHN WATSON, an American statesman and diplomat. He was born in Pike co., Ind., March 2, 1836. He graduated in 1855 from Indiana State University and for a time attended the Harvard Law School. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted as a major in the United States Volunteers, rising to the rank of Brigadier-General by the time the contest closed. After taking a prominent part in the councils of the Republican party he began his diplomatic career as minister to Mexico. After serving seven years at this post and one as minister to Russia he practiced international law at Washington and thus in 1883 became Minister to Spain. From 1885 to 1891 he negotiated for the United States a series of reciprocity treaties with Germany and Brazil. President Harrison in 1892 appointed him Secretary of State, a post he held until Cleveland was inaugurated the following year. The closing years of his life saw him engaged on many important diplomatic missions for the United States, and for a few years he acted as adviser to the Emperor of China. He died Nov. 15, 1917. He wrote several important works, among them being: "A Century of American Diplomacy omacy" (1900) and "American Diplomacy on the Orient" (1903).
Foster STEPHEN COLLINS, an American song-writer
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
STEPHEN COLLINS, an American song-writer; born in Pittsburgh, Pa., July July 4, 1826; was educated at Athens Academy and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. He composed the music and wrote the words of over 125 popular songs and melodies, among which are: "Olk Folks at Home"; "Nelly Bly"; "Old Dog Tray"; "Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming"; "Suwannee River," etc. He died in New York City, Jan. 13, 1864. FOSSIL SKELETON OF ICHTHYOSAURUS
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's, writing in 1921, could not know that John Watson Foster's diplomatic line would continue in his own family: his grandson John Foster Dulles became Secretary of State under Eisenhower in 1953, and another grandson, Allen Dulles, ran the CIA. Stephen Foster's standing has shifted far more. Collier's cheerfully lists "Old Folks at Home" and "Suwannee River" as separate songs (they are the same piece) and says nothing of the minstrel stage for which much of his work was written; today that context dominates discussion of him. Florida kept "Old Folks at Home" as its state song but replaced the dialect lyrics in 2008, Kentucky had already altered a line in "My Old Kentucky Home" in 1986, and Pittsburgh removed its 1900 Stephen Foster statue, which showed a seated Black banjo player at the composer's feet, in 2018.
Written for this edition, 2026.