F. D. Colson

Colson graduated from Cornell with a law degree and practiced law for two years in Buffalo, New York. He then returned to Cornell to become instructor in procedure in the law school and assistant coach of the rowing team under Courtney. As the assistant coach, his main responsibility was to development of the freshman eight-oared crew.^[1][2] In 1904 Colson coached the Harvard University varsity crew.^[3] To coach at Harvard he received a leave of absence from Cornell for the spring term. In addition to coaching, he did research work and attended lectures in the Harvard law school.^[1] In Harvard’s annual intercollegiate regatta on the Thames with Yale. Colson’s Harvard crew split the two races, Yale capturing the eight-oared four-mile race by eight boat lengths, while Harvard took the four-oared two-mile race by a length after a Yale rower broke his oarlock.^[4] In the fall of 1904 Colson resumed his duties on the Cornell Law School faculty and his work with Coach Courtney.^[3]

Colson coached at Cornell until 1907. During his time as Courtney's assistant Cornell won several Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship as well as freshman National Championships in 1902, 1903, and 1905.^[1][5]

In the fall of 1908, Colson was appointed law librarian in the State Library in Albany, New York. With the appointment Colson resigned from the faculty of Cornell.^[6] After leaving the library he continued to dedicated himself to public service including being the Clerk of the State Court of Claims, (1915-1924); Deputy and Assistant Attorney General of New York, (1925-1931); and First Deputy State Reporter Court of Appeals (1931-1945).^[7]