Biographical Statement

Darien Austin Straw was born March 6, 1857 and was married to Isabel Eaton from Vermillionville, Illinois. He graduated from Wheaton College in 1881 and took coursework towards a master’s degree at the University of Chicago. He received an honorary Master of Science degree from Wheaton in 1884.

Beginning in 1882 he served as Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at Wheaton College and was also principal of the Preparatory School and served as the Secretary of the Faculty. Straw was granted an honorary doctorate (Litt.D.) from Wheaton in 1895.

While serving as a professor of rhetoric and logic Straw wrote his own textbook for the course. He also taught the school’s four-year Bible course. Straw retired from the faculty of Wheaton College in 1940 after serving the college for fifty-eight years.

He was a member of College Church of Christ and served as an elder. Straw died as a result of a fall at his home on April 24, 1950.