Seaman A. Knapp

(1833-1911; president 1883-84)
Potrait painted in 1914 by artist S.S. Hayden

A New York native and Union College graduate, Knapp conducted female seminaries in the east until coming to Iowa for his health. He gained notice as a stockman, speaker and farm journalist, and in 1879 was appointed to head Iowa State's program in agriculture. After his one-year term as president, he left Iowa State to enter a distinguished career in southern agriculture. He is generally credited with the founding of the cooperative demonstration farm program and county agent system.