Eliot, William Charles. Born in Boston, MA, March 20, 1834. Graduated at Harvard in 1853. Eliot taught mathematics and chemistry at Harvard, and in 1863 he went to Europe for study of chemistry and to investigate the educational institutions of that continent. While at Vienna, was chosen professor for analytical chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1865, which post he filled for a period of four years. He then returned to Europe and spent fourteen months in further investigation, mainly in France. In 1869 Dr. Eliot succeeded Dr. Thomas Hill as president of Harvard College, and continued at its head until 1909. During his administration, many notable changes in the government of the college occurred, its scope was broadened, and there was a great increase in the number of its professors and students, while its wealth by gifts and benefactions was greatly increased. Mr. Eliot was given the degree of LL. D. by Williams and Princeton colleges in 1869, and by Yale in 1870, and was an honored member of many scientific and literary bodies. Besides numerous addresses, chemical memoirs, and technical investigations, he published in conjunction with Professor F. H. Storer, a "Manual of Inorganic Chemistry," and a "Manual of Qualitative Chemical Analysis." Later he published "American Contributions to Civilization," "Educational reform," and "Charles Eliot: Landscape Architect."

---