e-Library
Iowa State University
 
NewsLibrary CatalogFind articlesLibrary InformationHow do I..?Ask a Librarian
Display 
CollectionsService AreasClasses & ToursArts
Murals & Other Art
University presidents' portraits
  Leigh S. J. Hunt
  William I. Chamberlain
William M. Beardshear
  Albert B. Storms
  Raymond A. Pearson
  Charles E. Friley
  James H. Hilton
  W. Robert Parks
  Gordon Eaton
  Martin Jischke

William M. Beardshear

(1850-1902; president 1891-1902)
Portrait painted in 1938 by artist Christian Abrahamsen

President William M. Beardshear Ohio-born, Beardshear served in the Union army throughout the Civil War, studied for the ministry at Otterbein College and Yale University, filled several pastorates before coming to Iowa in 1881 as president of Western College at Toledo, and was West Des Moines superintendent of schools when an alliance of farm organizations secured his appointment as president of Iowa State. Most storied of Iowa State presidents, Beardshear was a physically impressive man who combined hard common sense with sentimentality and a robust sense of humor. Many of his goals were still unattained when he suffered a fatal heart attack; but during his administration Iowa State "came of age."
Printer version
  |    |  Site map

Iowa State University Library
Corner of Osborn Dr. & Morrill Rd.
Ames, Iowa 50011-2140
Voice: (515) 294-3642
Fax: (515) 294-5525