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Payson S. Wild, 92, provost emeritus of Northwestern University, died of natural causes at his Evanston home Monday, Feb. 23 [1998].
Mr. Wild, a distinguished scholar and academic administrator, served as vice president and dean of faculties at Northwestern from 1949 to 1969 and provost from 1969 to 1973.
A memorial service for Mr. Wild was held March 7 at Alice Millar. A reception followed at Guild Lounge of Scott Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Payson S. Wild Fund for Political Science c/o Dorothy Speidel, North-western University, 2020 Ridge Ave., Evanston, Ill. 60208.
Mr. Wild worked closely with then President J. Roscoe Miller to provide the leadership that advanced the University into national prominence among private universities.
On his retirement, the Board of Trustees recognized Mr. Wild for his contributions to the University by establishing the Payson S. Wild Distinguished Chair in Political Science.
Mr. Wild was active in retirement. He co-authored a comprehensive history of North-western with Harold Williamson, professor emeritus of economics, "Northwestern University: A History 1850-1975."
He was a member of the Executive Service Corps member, the board of the North Shore Senior Center and active in University groups, including the John Evans Club, the Library Council and Friends of the Arts. He also worked with the Evanston Historical Society and was a life trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Mr. Wild came to Northwestern from Harvard Univer-sity where he was professor of government and dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. During his 13-year career at Harvard, Mr. Wild earned a reputation as a leading scholar of international relations. One of Harvard's most popular lecturers, he taught courses in international law, world politics and problems of contemporary international law. Two of his Harvard students during the 1930s were two Kennedy brothers ‹ Joseph, killed in World War II, and Jack, who became President.
While at Harvard, he also was a staff member of the US. Naval College as an associate for international law (1936-1945). He was the author of "Sanctions and Treaty Enforce-ment" (1934), "International Law Situations" (1938, 1939) and numerous books and articles on international law, foreign policy and political science.
He began his academic career at Harvard as a graduate student instructor in government in 1929. He earned a master's degree (1927) and Ph.D. degree (1931) from Harvard, both in government, after receiving an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin (1926). He received honorary degrees from Lawrence College and Lake Forest College.
Mr. Wild was member of Phi Beta Kappa, American Political Science Association, American Society of International Law, Council on Foreign Relations and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Mr. Wild is survived by a son, Payson S. Jr. of Evanston, and two daughters, Marian Wick of Sheybogan, Wis., and Caroline Norris of Maryville, Tenn.
