Steeped in the great traditions of the Common Law, Professor Thompson\u27s
influence has left an indelible mark on the professional careers of
decades of Cornell lawyers, all of whom have received the full benefit
of his open-mindedness in the broad exposition of the Law of Contracts and the principles of Business Regulation, and, above all else, his understanding
and philosophy of Law

Corbin, Arthur L.

English

Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository

CORNELL
LAW QUARTERLY
VOLUME 41 FALL, 1955 N'MEBER 1
PROFESSOR GEORGE JARVIS THOMPSON
The Board of Editors of the CORNELL LAW QUARTERLY, in deep ap-
preciation and gratitude, affectionately dedicate this volume to Professor
George Jarvis Thompson, teacher, scholar, gentleman, and friend.
Steeped in the great traditions of the Common Law, Professor Thomp-
son's influence has left an indelible mark on the professional careers of
decades of Cornell lawyers, all of whom have received the full benefit
of his open-mindedness in the broad exposition of the Law of Contracts
and the principles of Business Regulation, and, above all else, his under-
standing and philosophy of Law.
He cannot but serve as an example of the highest virtues of a gentle-
man, and as a model for all those who are privileged to know him. For
those legions of Cornell law students who have knocked and continue to
rap on the glass of his office door, the sound of his response--"Come"--
exemplifies his unswerving allegiance to the teacher's Ideal, the service
of his students.
For some men, this would be enough.
Now in his thirtieth year at the Cornell Law School, Professor Thomp-
son has at all times performed his full share of professorial tasks, no mat-
ter what other activities occupied him. His interest in the history of the
Common Law resulted in his study, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANGLO-
AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM: HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH COURTS TO THE
JUDICATURE ACTS. The high regard by his colleagues for his talents and
achievements in the field of Contract Law resulted in his appointment as
Chairman of the Editorial Committee of the American Association of Law
Schools' volume, SELECTED READINGS ON THE LAW OF CONTRACTS, pub-
lished in 1931. It has been said by one writer that "the editing was a
prodigious task" and that the volume is "a great text-book on the law
of contracts, of a glorified content." Professor McGovney declared
.'that the task has been admirably performed.... It gives a better in-
CORNELL LAW QUARTERLY
sight into the law of contracts on the points discussed than any volume
ever written.... " Judge Cardozo, in the Introduction, said of this work
that "truth... is here dignified and honored in the respectable security
of an indubitable book."
Professor Thompson served as an adviser in the preparation of the
RESTATEMENT OF THE LAW OF CONTRACTS and his long association with
Samuel Williston led to his co-authorship, in 1936, of the Williston and
Thompson revised edition of the 1920 classic treatise. When Lord
Wright observed that "Williston on Contracts has already had a great
part in the secular progression of our Common Law and that the new
edition will nobly continue the great work," he marked its significant
place in History.
John F. X. Finn's splendid tribute to Professor Thompson's contribu-
tion is but typical of the thoughts of many:
The revised Williston is a gold mine of great worth. Professor Thompson
has brought to the revision a fresh keenness, an aptness of citation and an
unerring accuracy. It is small wonder that Williston himself became fas-
cinated by the new brilliance of his old gem and soon warmed to the task
of perfecting perfection. This is not a rehash of any old dish. It is a
thorough revision and almost a new work. The combination of Williston's
thoroughness of analysis, depth of experience and facility of expression
with Thompson's diligence of application, relentless energy and unbounded
enthusiasm for contractual concepts has served to produce a treatise as
nearly perfect as human hands can mould.
For some men, this would be more than enough.
The Board of Editors of the CORNELL LAW QUARTERLY takes great
pleasure in presenting the tributes of three distinguished men who
have so kindly participated in the dedication of this volume to our own
beloved Professor Thompson.
[Vol. 41
TO PROFESSOR GEORGE JARVIS THOMPSON
Classmate
Having learned today that the CORNELL LAW QUARTERLY has dedi-
cated this volume to Professor George J. Thompson, of the class of 1912
at the Harvard Law School, I would like to express the pride which the
members of our class have taken in his unusually valuable contribution
to the legal profession.
He has lived up to the highest standards of our law school days. His
fine influence will long be felt not only through the professional services
of his students, but also through the generally better understanding of
the Law of Contracts made possible through his keen insight, careful
research, and considered writing.
His friends of more than forty-five years extend to him this apprecia-
tion of his constructive career and high character.
Harold H. Burton
AssociAm JusncE or T SurREm CoURT oF T UiT E STATES
TO PROFESSOR GEORGE JARVIS THOMPSON
Scholar
It is with great pleasure that I contribute to the volume of the
QuARTERLY that is dedicated to Professor George J. Thompson. For
nearly ten years, between 1922 and 1932, I worked many days with
George, Samuel Williston, and others in preparing the two volumes
known as RESTATEMENT OF THE LAW OF CONTRACTS published by the
American Law Institute. It involved about four conferences per year,
some of them a week in length, our small group associating together
both at meals and at work. In summer, this occurred by the blue water
on the coast of Maine; during the Christmas holidays, we met at a club
near Pinehurst, N.C. It was a most harmonious and industrious group;
and the mind and personality of George Thompson supplied a full share
of the industry and added much to the harmony and to the value of the
work. Samuel Williston, the chief Reporter, was 94 years of age Septem-
ber 24, of this year. I myself have been retired from active teaching at
Yale for 12 years. George was like our younger brother, always helpful,
suggestive, and affectionate. It must be that he too is approaching
retirement. Our association of 25 years ago has filled a bright spot in my
memory ever since then; and I join gladly in doing him honor and in
sending him my warm and affectionate greetings.
Arthur L. Corbin
PROFESSOR Op LAW Emnarrus, YALE LAW SC0o0L
TO PROFESSOR GEORGE JARVIS THOMPSON
Teacher and Colleague
George Thompson blows not his own horn, yet for him the trumpets
should be sounded. The request for a word for the QuARTERLY comes to
me while I am in a remote spot where I have no material for a vita, nor
do I want to make this an obituary. May that be long postponedl
I salute George Jarvis. Thompson, the dedicated professor who, for
thirty years, has lived and moved and had his being in the Cornell Law
School. He has unstintingly pumped his life-blood into his teaching, his
contacts with students and into the myriad services which do not show
in the record but which fill the 9 to 5:30 hours. Always busy, always
willing to be more busy, George has been a wheelhorse in our school.
He has brought out the best in students; he has set a pace for colleagues.
As one who has watched his daily round with admiration, and marvelled
at his good cheer under his overload, I bespeak for him a hearty "well
done."
Cornell has profited in prestige from his writings, and from his experi-
ences in places remote and near at hand. China knew him in his youth.
Other schools in this country knew him before he came to us. But he has
flowered at Cornell and we have enjoyed the fullness of his personality.
For what he is and for what he has done we thank him.
G. H. Robinson
PROFESSOR OF LAW E ERiTus, CORNELL LAW ScHoOL


To Professor George Jarvis Thompson

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To Professor George Jarvis Thompson

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