author
Clyde Furst
1873–1931
Best known for The Observations of Professor Maturin, he brought a teacher’s eye and a conversational wit to essays about everyday life, reading, travel, and human nature. His work has the easy charm of someone who enjoyed ideas but never wanted them to feel heavy.
1 Audiobook
The Observations of Professor Maturin
by Clyde Furst
About the author
Clyde Bowman Furst (August 29, 1873 – March 6, 1931) was an American educator and writer. He studied at Dickinson College and built much of his professional life in education, serving as Secretary of Teachers College, Columbia University, from 1902 to 1911 and later as secretary of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Alongside that career, he wrote essays and literary introductions. He is most closely associated with The Observations of Professor Maturin, a collection of reflective pieces first published in the early 20th century. The book ranges across subjects like food, travel, books, habits, and conversation, and its tone is thoughtful without losing a light touch.
That mix of scholarship and readability helps explain his lasting appeal in public-domain collections and audiobook libraries. Even when he was writing about ordinary routines, he had a way of making them feel curious, civilized, and worth another look.