Clarence Korstian

Clarence Korstian (June 26, 1889 – February 22, 1968) was an influential professor of forestry and the founding dean of the Duke University School of Forestry in 1938. Korstian was one of the leaders in North Carolina forestry during the nearly half century he lived in the state.

Early life and education Clarence Ferdinand Korstian was born June 26, 1889, in Saline County, Nebraska. He earned a B.S.F. degree from the University of Nebraska in 1911, and a M.F. degree from Nebraska in 1913. He received a M.A. degree from Southeastern Christian College in 1924. He served as a research fellow at Yale University from 1925 to 1926, earning a PhD. in forestry from Yale in 1926.

Career Korstian began his two decade career with the U.S. Forest Service in 1910 as a field assistant

Legacy Following his retirement in 1959, one of the major divisions of Duke Forest was named in his honor.