His mother, Mary Birdsall, was a premiere suffragist, woman’s rights advocate, and editor in Indiana.
Birdsall received a BS from Earlham College in 1873 and then went on to teach at Richmond High School in Indiana.
Between the years 1900 and 1901 Birdsall’s administration made a number of changes including a complete readjustment of the teaching staff, installation of a new heating system, building a new gym for the male students, and the introduction of a pre-medical course all between 1900 and 1901.
The Board decided to change the focus of the college and to seek a president with stronger academic credentials.
After serving as president for only four years Birdsall resigned from his position in 1902 and became the principal of Girls’ High School of Philadelphia.