In the late 1800's before WPI was polytechnic and was still referred to as a "Free" institute, the junior class held a traditional display of distaste for the required mathematics course, well, more specifically, the writer of its textbook. This event which aroused so much enthusiasm and companionship among those taking the course was the annual cremation of Chauvenet. Chauvenet was the mathematician who wrote the textbook used by the junior class and the subject of this malevolent attack. Each year, elaborate preparations complete with corpse and coffin were made for the funeral and were carried out in late June or early July. The corpse was presented in the coffin decorated with mystic Euclidean problem and trignometric symbols, and the ceremony was held on Bancroft Hill complete with pall-bearers, marshalls and mourners. Music was provided by a volunteer group of musicians known as the "Blowhards."
In solemn procession, the victim was escorted to the funeral pyre. An oration was given followed by the annointing of the corpse before being given to the flames. Meanwhile throughout the ceremony, the Juniors sat around the fire in a circle armed with clubs to prevent the intricate affair from being broken up by attacks from rival classes. After the cremation, a class supper was held downtown. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the glee club or sometimes the class quartet.
So, for those of you taking Calculus courses or any class that seems painstaking beyond all levels of reason, remember Chauvenet and chuckle. At the end of the term when all is said and done, you and your classmates can hold a little cremation celebration of your own!
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