Louise Pound, born in Lincoln on the 30th of June, 1872, excelled in many fields of endeavor. She combined into one, careers in education, writing, and sports.
Miss Pound enrolled at the University of Nebraska and earned a BA degree in l892 and her MA in l895. After two years as an English instructor at the university (from l897 to l899), she traveled to Germany and studied at Heidelberg University where she received her Doctor of Philosophy in 1900.
Returning to the University of Nebraska to be a professor of English, Miss Pound became a full professor in 1912. She continued in the English department until her retirement in 1945, when she was named a professor emeritus.
During these years she also was a lecturer, author, and an editor of books and magazines on literature, linguistics, education, and folklore. During summer sessions she lectured at other universities, including the University of California, Yale,
Stanford, and the University of Chicago. She received a Doctorate of Literature from Smith College, Northampton, Mass. in 1928.
Interest in the English language and the origin and evolution of words led to her writing several books on linguistics. Other books she has written include Poetic Origins and the Ballad (l922); American Ballads and Songs (l923); Selected writings of Louise Pound (1949), and Nebraska Folklore (1959).
Dr. Pound was active in many organizations on both the local and national level. She held national offices in several organizations, including Modern Language Association of America, National Council of English Teachers, Folklore Society of America, American Society of University Professors, American Dialect Society and American Society of University Women.
While her primary interest was in the field of education, she had
many other interests, including women's equality, sports, and music. She received a diploma in piano from the University of Nebraska in 1892. She was active in the National League for Women's Service and served on the women's committee of the State Council of Defense in 1918.
While in college she helped organize a girls' military company and she set a record at rifle target practice. She was the first woman named to the Lincoln Journal Sports Hall of Fame in 1954. She participated in tennis, golf, cycling, and ice skating, and also coached girls' basketball.
In 1947 she was awarded the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Medal and in 1948, a Distinguished Service Medal from the University of Nebraska Alumni Association.
Dr. Pound died in Lincoln on June 28 l958.