A few years ago at an American University, a person by the name of Niebuhr was honoured at a graduation ceremony.It wasn't the late Reinhold Niebuhr who was so versatile a scholar that the President of Harvard offered to make him the professor of any chair he chose.
Nor did the honor go this time to his brother Richard or their sister Hulda who were both bright lights in the academic firmament.
The award in the form of an honorary degree went to the person who had given so much support and strength to her family. It went to their aged mother.
Too rarely do the people outside the spotlight get the recognition they deserve, however, Mrs Niebuhr's role was pivotal to the success of her famous children.
Geoff Pound
Image: Graduation ceremony.
