Joseph Battell

This article is about the wildlife philanthropist. For other uses, see Joseph Battell (disambiguation).

Joseph Battell
Battell as Middlebury College trustee, circa 1900
Born	(1839-07-15)July 15, 1839 Middlebury, Vermont
Died	February 23, 1915(1915-02-23) (aged 75) Washington, DC
Resting place	Middlebury Cemetery, Middlebury, VT
Occupation	Publisher
Language	English
Nationality	American
Citizenship	USA

Joseph Battell (July 15, 1839 – February 23, 1915) was a publisher and philanthropist from Middlebury, Vermont. Battell is credited with preserving Vermont forest land including the land for Camel's Hump State Park. Battell edited a newspaper and authored several books, including the "American Morgan Horse Registry". He donated his horse farm to the federal Morgan horse breeding program, and is credited by some as saving the breed. In addition, he served at the Vermont Legislature, and as a trustee for Middlebury College.

He was also the author of the book, Ellen--or the Whisperings of an Old Pine, a dialogue between a sixteen-year-old girl, Ellen, and a wise old white pine tree. Among the matters they discuss is a refutation of the wave theory of sound propagation. It is illustrated with many photographs of Vermont scenery, including several of Ellen. (Gardner, 1957) . Her mountain, Mt. Ellen, a 4000-footer near Sugarbush ski area, can be found here.

Philanthropy

Three dormitories at Middlebury College are also named for Battell as recognition for the land he bequeathed to the college.

Battell purchased many thousands of acres in the vicinity of Middlebury, adjacent to Bread Loaf Mountain, and had an existing building added to and cottages built for guests of his. On his death the property was bequeathed to Middlebury College, which, since 1926, has held the Bread Loaf School of English and Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences at this location.