The Story of the Innumerable Company, and Other Sketches

"The Story of the Innumerable Company, and Other Sketches" by David Starr Jordan is a collection of sketches, both historical and allegorical, likely written during the late 19th century. The sketches explore profound themes centered around the concept of "the higher sacrifice," weaving narratives that reflect on the human experience and moral choices. At the start of the collection, the author introduces a compelling metaphor of an "Innumerable Company" who embark on a challenging journey across mountains and deserts toward a river, which one must cross alone. The narrative offers a philosophical exploration of the paths individuals choose and the significance of mutual aid and personal sacrifice along the journey. It presents an allegorical journey filled with various characters, each representing different human tendencies, beliefs, and the search for truth and fellowship on that pivotal journey of life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

David Starr Jordan was the founding president of Stanford University, serving from 1891 to 1913. He was an ichthyologist during his research career. Prior to serving as president of Stanford University, he served as president of Indiana University from 1884 to 1891.