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Rh professor of law at the same university in 1897. The School of Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy was organized by him, and in 1897 he was chosen its dean and professor of common law, transportation and interstate commerce. He was elected president of Columbian university, in 1902. Reorganizing the university, he secured a change in the charter by congress, making the university non-denominational and changing its name to "The George Washington university."

President Needham belongs to the Cosmos club and University club of Washington, District of Columbia; the City club of New York and is also a member of several scientific societies in Washington.

He is a Republican in politics. "To home influence, personal study and contact with men," he feels greatly indebted for strong influences for good in his life — but principally he owes gratitude "to an internal spiritual influence, not my own, which has impelled and guided me." He is a member of the Baptist church. He says, "very few of the important things in my life have been expected. The results have been better than I planned." To young Americans his words are, "Be sound and sweet in your mind. Cultivate a knowledge and love for the excellent in art, in literature, in religion; and in association. Above all, be true to yourself; do not imitate; bear your own flower and fruit."

He received the degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Rochester, New York, in 1901, and from Georgetown college, Kentucky.

He was married November 2, 1870, to Caroline Mary Beach, and in 1905 they had four children living.