Prof. Elizabeth Wallace has left an indelible mark on the University of Chicago and global academia. Specializing in French history, literature, and culture, she was not only one of the first female professors at UChicago but also an advocate for international education. Her connections with prominent figures like Edith Wharton and Mark Twain, and volunteer work in France during the World Wars, underscore her wide-ranging influence.
Her academic journey began in 1896 in Paris, where she immersed herself in the rich cultural and intellectual environment of the Latin Quarter. Wallace reflected on her Parisian sojourns in her autobiography, "The Unending Journey," vividly describing the city’s beauty and its impact on her scholarly pursuits.
A Columbia-born polyglot, Wallace interacted with UChicago's first president, William Rainey Harper, who encouraged her to explore study abroad possibilities in France. Though initial efforts didn’t come to fruition, her groundwork laid the foundation for UChicago's contemporary initiatives in Paris. Prof. John W. Boyer acknowledged, "I think that she would be extremely proud of our new Center in Paris."
Wallace was a professor for over three decades at UChicago, earning acclaim for her courses, notably on Molière. Her achievements were recognized in 1923 when she became one of the first women at UChicago to reach the rank of full professor. Boyer noted, "Wallace devoted her career to the study of European culture and she was a much admired and very gifted teacher."
Her friendships with French and American intellectuals and authors, paired with her work as an interpreter in both World Wars, highlighted her versatility and resilience. Her contributions were honored in 1946 when France inducted her into the French Legion of Honor for her war relief efforts.
Further, Wallace's administrative roles at UChicago, as a dean and head of a women’s dormitory, cemented her legacy on campus. Her legacy is commemorated with the Wallace House at UChicago’s Max Palevsky Residential Commons.
In 1955, President Robert Hutchins encapsulated her contributions: “We send our love to Elizabeth Wallace, who has enriched and illuminated the University of Chicago and the lives of all her friends.”