Alfred Ryors

Alfred Ryors (June 23, 1812–May 8, 1858) served as the second president of Indiana University and the fifth president of Ohio University.

Alfred Ryors
2nd President of Indiana University
In office 1852–1853
Preceded by	Andrew Wylie
Succeeded by	William Mitchel Daily
5th President of Ohio University
In office 1848–1852
Preceded by	William Holmes McGuffey
Succeeded by	Solomon Howard
Personal details
Born	June 23, 1812 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	May 8, 1858 (aged 45) Danville, Kentucky
Resting place	Bellevue Cemetery, Danville, Kentucky
Nationality	US
Profession	College educator and Presbyterian minister
Academic background
Alma mater	Jefferson College
Academic work
Discipline	Mathematics
Institutions	Lafayette College Indiana University Ohio University Centre College
Ecclesiastical career
Church	Presbyterian
Ordained	1838

Ryors Hall at Ohio University, named for Alfred Ryors

Early life and education

Born June 23, 1812 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ryors was orphaned at an early age. He lived with family friends until 1823, when he began studying with the Presbyterian Church in preparation for ministry. In 1831, he entered Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he studied for two years before leaving to teach Latin and Greek in the School of C.J. Halderman, at Bristol, Pennsylvania. He returned to Jefferson College in 1834 and graduated in 1835. [1]

Professional Background

Upon receipt of his degree, Ryors accepted an appointment as Principal of the Academic Department in Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, a position he held for one year before moving on to Ohio University, where he taught mathematics. He remained in Ohio until 1843, when he accepted a professorship at Indiana University, again teaching mathematics. Here he stayed until 1848, when he returned to Ohio University to serve as its president. [1]

Tenure at Indiana University

Faced with the death of its first president in 1851, Indiana University sought to fill the presidency with Ryors. Ryors accepted, resigned his position at Ohio University and returned to Bloomington the fall of 1852. Disappointed with conditions at the university, Ryors resigned in 1853 and went on to become professor of mathematics at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, a position he held until his death in 1858.[1]

Notes

1. Wylie, Theophilus A. (1890). Indiana University, Its History from 1820, when Founded, to 1890, with Biographical Sketches of Its Presidents, Professors and Graduates, and a List of Its Students from 1820 to 1887. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wm. A. Burford. p. 94 – via Internet Archive. alfred ryors biography indiana university.

External links

• Alfred Ryors at Find a Grave