Bennet Botsford Harvey ’25

Ben was born in Chicago May 12, 1903. He prepared at Choate and while in college was manager of the wrestling team and a member of Cloister Inn.

On graduation, he joined the publishing division of Rand McNally, finishing his career as v.p. and chief of their trade publishing division. During his career, he especially valued his relations with authors. He was also known for his sense of humor. His fondness for animals found expression in The Elegant Elephant by Russell McCracken, to promote which he brought a live elephant, Judy, into the third-floor book department of Marshall Field to autograph copies with a rubber stamp attached to her trunk. The autographing party was a great success, but, when it was time to go home, Judy refused. Eventually her exit necessitated the building of a ramp over three flights of stairs.

After his retirement, he organized the annual outdoors Rogation Sunday Services at which animals are blessed at St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church.

He died Jan. 17, 1998. His wife, Dorothy Wegener, died in 1995. Survivors include his son, Ben Jr. '56, his daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

The Class of 1925