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 byAndrew Wylie
Succeeded byWilliam Mitchel Daily
5th President of Ohio University
In office
1848–1852
Preceded byWilliam Holmes McGuffey
Succeeded bySolomon Howard
Personal details
Born(1812-06-23)June 23, 1812
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedMay 8, 1858(1858-05-08) (aged 45)
Danville, Kentucky
Resting placeBellevue Cemetery, Danville, Kentucky
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCollege educator and Presbyterian minister
Academic background
Alma materJefferson College
Academic work
DisciplineMathematics
Institutions
Ecclesiastical career
ChurchPresbyterian
Ordained1838
Ryors Hall at Ohio University, named for Alfred Ryors

Early life and education edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

  1. ^ a b c 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 edit

Academic offices
Preceded by President of Ohio University
1848 – 1852
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of Indiana University
1852 – 1853
Succeeded by