Tucker, William Jewett, 1837-1926
Dates
- Existence: 1837 - 1926
Biography
William Jewett Tucker (born July 13, 1839, Griswold, Connecticut [U.S] – died September 29, 1926, Hanover, New Hampshire [U.S.]) graduated from Dartmouth College 1861 and Theol Sem 1866; DD 1875; also U Vt 1904; LLD Williams 1893; Yale 1895; Wesleyan 1903; Columbia 1906; Dartmouth 1909. ΦBK. Minister Manchester, NH 1867-75; New York NY 1875-79. Prof sac rhet And Theol Sem 1879-93. Founder (Andover House) South End House Boston 1891. Lect Lowell Inst 1894; lect in preaching Yale Div Sch 1897-98. Lect Union Theol Sem 1902; lect Pacific Sem 1906. Tucker served as the College’s ninth president (1893-1909).
The New York City American, in a September 30, 1926 obituary notice, wrote of William Jewett Tucker that he "was known in New England as 'the great president,' who brought Dartmouth from the position of a small New Hampshire college to that of a great national educational institution." One of the college's most beloved leaders, William Jewett Tucker was said to have "refounded Dartmouth," bringing its facilities, its curriculum and every aspect of its organization into the modern era. When he assumed the presidency in 1893, the college was in debt, there were only slightly over 300 students and there was no central physical facilities plant. When he stepped down in 1909 more than 20 new buildings had been erected, including a central steam plant; the student body had grown to over 1,100 students from across the country and around the world; the faculty had increased from 26 to 81; and the curriculum had been broadened.
Tireless in his efforts to build the physical college, President Tucker was also equally devoted to articulating a moral and spiritual dimension for Dartmouth and for higher education nationwide. In numerous books and essays he called for a liberalization of American theology and commitment to public service.
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
Dartmouth College [Hanover, NH] to Mr. Frederick T. Wood, Letter
Concerns a possible memorial to Harold D. Gilbert in Rollins Chapel.
Elizabeth Porter Gould letters
Frank Nehemiah Saltmarsh letters
In English.
Hanover, N.H. to Charles F. Leggett, Brooklyn, N.Y., Letter
Leggett's son, Frederic, has been involved in the horning of Professor Foster. Encloses a description of the episode and the faculty's action, signed by Dean Charles Emerson.
Samuel John Mills Lord letter
In English.
William J. Tucker letter
Letter from William J. Tucker to W.W Watson Esq., regarding a professional recommendation for Edward K. Hall, Dartmouth College Class of 1892.
William Tucker papers
William Jewett Tucker (1837-1926), 9th President of Dartmouth College. His papers contain personal and professional correspondence, letters and documents concerning the Andover Review, lectures on modern Christianity and social economics, sermons, essays and compositions, including some work from his student days. While some materials date from the period of his presidential administration, the bulk of the papers are not Dartmouth administrative records.