Webster Merrifield (July 27, 1852 in Newfane, Vermont[1] – January 22, 1916) was an American educator and academic who served as the third President of the University of North Dakota from 1891 to 1909.[2]

Webster Merrifield
3rd President of the University of North Dakota
Preceded byHomer Sprague
Succeeded byFrank L. McVey
Personal details
Born(1852-07-27)July 27, 1852
Died January 22, 1916(1916-01-22) (aged 63)
Alma materYale University
Signature
Merrifield Hall at the University of North Dakota, built in 1929

Called the Father of Secondary Education in North Dakota, he was responsible for widespread standard reform among the states high schools and secondary schools.[3][4] During his tenure as UND President he oversaw the creation of both its Law School and Medical School, and is credited with developing the University into a nationally recognized institution.[2][4] Merrifield Hall, the University's Liberal Arts building, is named in his honor.[5]

Merrifield had graduated from Yale University in 1877, and taught Greek and Latin at the Yale until moving to the Dakota Territory in 1883 to teach the languages at the University Of North Dakota, where he also taught Literature and Political Science.[6]

References

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  1. ^ One thousand men, by Dorman B. E. Kent; published 1914 by the Vermont Historical Society; via archive.org; p. 79
  2. ^ a b Wilkins, Robert P., ed. (1983). A Century on the Northern Plains - The University of North Dakota at 100. The University of North Dakota Press. ASIN B000QJEWK4.
  3. ^ "Eriksmoen: Webster Merrifield remembered as 'father of secondary..." INFORUM. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Eriksmoen: Webster Merrifield remembered as 'father of secondary schools' in ND - Fargo". Fargo. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  5. ^ "Academics". University of North Dakota Online Visitors Guide. April 14, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "Doctor Webster Merrifield". news.prairiepublic.org. Prairie Public. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
Preceded by President of the University of North Dakota
1891 - 1909
Succeeded by