Early IWU Presidential Biographies

The following bibliographies originally appeared in the IWU, Ames Library Tate Archives blog.

Clinton W. Sears, 1855-1857

Clinton W. Sears

Clinton W. Sears

Sears was the first official president of Illinois Wesleyan University and served from 1855 until 1857. He was born in New York in 1820 but spent most of his life in Ohio. He graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1841. Before his presidency, he held the dual position of librarian and Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature.

Oliver Spencer Munsell, 1857-1873

Oliver Spencer Munsell

Oliver Spencer Munsell

Munsell was born in Ohio in 1825. He graduated from Indiana Asbury University and then later studied law and was admitted to the bar. He served as the principal at two different seminaries and was the president of Illinois Wesleyan University from 1857 – 1873.

Samuel J. Fallows, 1873-

Samuel J. Fallows

Samuel J. Fallows

Fallows was born in England and immigrated to Wisconsin with his family in 1848 where he

joined the Methodist Church at the age of 19. He studied at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and at the University of Wisconsin. He was the Vice-President and Principal of Galesville University for two years, joined the Union Army in 1862, and served as the chaplain for the 32nd Wisconsin Infantry. He was also a Professor-elect of Natural Sciences at Lawrence and later a superintendent. He became president of Illinois Wesleyan University in 1873.

 

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