President John A. Bascom 1874-1887
When Twombly is finally forced out on January 21, 1874, the regents immediately
announce his replacement -- Williams College professor John Bascom. A more prominent
proponent of coeducation, women's rights, trade unionism and prohibition, Bascom
assumes office the next month as Wisconsin University's fifth president. Conflicts
again arise with the board over governance issues and personalities, although Bascom's
greater stature protects him from Twombly's fate -- for now.
Bascom presides over the university's best decade yet financially. The state finally
accepts its responsibility, admits its failure, and begins to provide direct support,
leading to the erection of four fine buildings.
After the failure of Twombly's presidency, the regents turned to another Williams
graduate, John Bascom. Bascom was born in Genoa, New York on May 1, 1827. He graduated
from Williams College in 1849, then spent several years studying and working, finally
graduating from Andover Theological Seminary in 1855. From that year until 1874 he was
a professor of rhetoric and English literature at Williams. On January 21, 1874, the
regents elected Bascom president, and he took office with the beginning of the spring
term on March 31. During Bascom's thirteen years as president, the university became
a solid academic institution. Bascom continued to teach during his presidency and was
known as an excellent scholar and teacher. He believed that the university should
exert a strong moral presence, and he taught a special course for seniors on the
importance of using their education to improve society. His support of prohibition
and his belief that the regents should not be involved in day-to-day operations of
the university brought him into conflict with that group. In December 1885 Bascom
indicated that he might resign in June 1886 to become effective one year later. The
regents took this as a formal resignation and began the search for a replacement,
although Bascom did remain in office until June 1887. After leaving Wisconsin, Bascom
returned to Williams where he taught sociology and political economy until his
resignation in 1903. He died in Williamstown, Massachusetts on October 2, 1911.
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John A. Bascom, president, 1874-1887: A distinguished scholar, Bascom served as an
effective administrator and as a moral leader. His views and beliefs were the seeds of
the Wisconsin Idea.
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John Bascom: Bascom was president of the University of Wisconsin from 1874 until 1887.
Main Hall was renamed after him, along with the hill it sits on, in 1920.
