Preceded by Paul Chadbourne Education Wesleyan University Name John Twombly | Alma mater Wesleyan University Succeeded by John Bascom | |
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Born July 19, 1814
Rochester, New Hampshire, United States ( 1814-07-19 ) Died January 1, 1893, Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts, United States | ||
John Hanson Twombly 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.
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Early life and career
John Hanson Twombly was born on July 19, 1814 in Rochester, New Hampshire. He was mostly self-educated and worked through his youth. In 1843, he graduated from Wesleyan University and became a Methodist minister. Twombly married Betsy Dow, the daughter of a Vermont minister, on November 26, 1844. He worked at Massachusetts churches and became an overseer at Harvard College from 1855 to 1867. 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.
Madison
Twombly was elected to the University of Wisconsin–Madison presidency by the UW regents on June 30, 1871 for a September start. He was the university's fourth president. Samuel Fallows, UW class of 1859 and a local Reformed Episcopal Church bishop, was Twombly's main advocate. The regents thought he would raise funds for the university. He was known as a powerful speaker and advocated for co-education against the interests of the regents. The regents withheld some of his executive power due to their doubt, and eventually asked him to resign in June 1873. He refused and their case was brought to the Wisconsin Legislature, who supported Twombly along with the public and students. He never found the favor of the faculty. Twombly resigned on January 21, 1874 in response to the regents' determination. His legacy includes his advocacy for women's education.
He became a minister again, and worked in Northeast churches. He died January 1, 1893 in Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts.