Edward Franklin Buchner, Professor of Education and Philosophy, was born in Paxton, Illinois on September 3, 1868. He studied at Leander College and Yale University, and took his Ph.D. from Yale in 1893. Dr. Buchner came to Johns Hopkins University in 1908 as Professor of Education. He had occupied a similar position for 5 years previously at the University of Alabama. He also had taught education and philosophy at other institutions of higher learning. Following his organization of the Education Department at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Buchner gave close attention to the summer classes for teachers. He did considerable writing on education subjects and served in various capacities in many societies concerned with pedagogy.

In 1925 he was instrumental in the creation of two new degrees -- master of education and doctor of education -- at Johns Hopkins University, concurrently with the establishment of a school for higher studies in the field of education. In April 1926 Dr. Buchner proposed the establishment of a $50,000 fund for research in education at Johns Hopkins University, claiming that scientific study of the principles of education at Johns Hopkins was seriously hampered by lack of money. He traveled considerably and delivered many lectures on academic problems. He was a believer in the most modern methods of education for Maryland schools, and strove to raise the State scholastic standing to the highest possible level. Dr. Buchner was granted a year's leave of absence from his work at Johns Hopkins in 1926, due to impaired health caused by overwork. After a period of rest and travel abroad he returned to work restored to health. He died on August 22, 1929.