John Hanson Twombly

John Hanson Twombly (July 19, 1814 – January 1, 1893) was a Methodist minister and the fourth president of the University of Wisconsin. He was known as an advocate for co-education and women's education, which led to tensions with the university regents and, ultimately, his ouster.

John Hanson Twombly
President of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
In office 1871–1874
Preceded by	Paul Chadbourne
Succeeded by	John Bascom
Personal details
Born	July 19, 1814 Rochester, New Hampshire, United States
Died	January 1, 1893 (aged 78) Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts, United States
Alma mater	Wesleyan University

Early life and career

John Hanson Twombly was born on July 19, 1814 in Rochester, New Hampshire.[1] He was mostly self-educated and worked through his youth.[1] In 1843, he graduated from Wesleyan University and became a Methodist minister.[1] He taught at Wesleyan University from 1843 to 1845.[2] Twombly married Betsy Dow, the daughter of a Vermont minister, on November 26, 1844.[3] He worked at Massachusetts churches and became an overseer at Harvard College from 1855 to 1867.[1] He also worked as the New England Education Society secretary from 1857 to 1871, the American Institute director from 1868 to 1870, and Charlestown, Massachusetts public schools superintendent from 1866 to 1870.[1][2]

Madison

Twombly was elected to the University of Wisconsin–Madison presidency by the UW regents on June 30, 1871 for a September start.[1] He was the university's fourth president.[4] Samuel Fallows, UW class of 1859 and a local Reformed Episcopal Church bishop, was Twombly's main advocate.[5] The regents thought he would raise funds for the university.[4] He was known as a powerful speaker[5] and advocated for co-education against the interests of the regents.[1] The regents withheld some of his executive power due to their doubt, and eventually asked him to resign in June 1873.[1] He refused and their case was brought to the Wisconsin Legislature,[1] who supported Twombly along with the public and students.[5] He never found the favor of the faculty.[4][6] Twombly resigned on January 21, 1874[1] in response to the regents' determination.[5] His legacy includes his advocacy for women's education.[4]

He became a minister again, and worked in Northeast churches.[1] He died January 1, 1893 in Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts.[1][2][7]

See also

• List of Presidents and Chancellors of the University of Wisconsin–Madison

References

1. "Chancellors and Presidents of the University of Wisconsin-Madison". University of Wisconsin–Madison Archives. February 21, 2011. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
2. "Rev. J. H. Twombly Dead". The Boston Globe. January 3, 1893. p. 2. Retrieved May 25, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Methodist Episcopal Church. New England Conference (1888). Minutes of the ... Session of the New England Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. pp. 94–95.
4. Hove 1991, p. 28.
5. Hove 1991, p. 11.
6. "The State University Troubles". Wisconsin State Journal. January 22, 1874. p. 1. Retrieved May 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Rev. John H. Twombly Dead". The Boston Globe. January 2, 1893. p. 3. Retrieved May 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.

Sources

• Hove, Arthur (1991). The University of Wisconsin: A Pictorial History. University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 978-0-299-13000-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links

Media related to John Hanson Twombly at Wikimedia Commons