William Watts Folwell

William Watts Folwell (February 14, 1833 – September 17, 1929) was the first president of the University of Minnesota.

Biography
William Watts Folwell attended Hobart College in Geneva, New York, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1857. In 1859, he became adjunct professor of mathematics there, and received a Master of Arts degree in 1860. He spent the years 1860-1861 in the study of philology at Berlin and in travel. During the American Civil War, he served in the 50th Regiment, New York Engineers, where he received the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel of engineers.

After the Civil War, Folwell engaged in business, but in 1869 accepted the chair of mathematics in Kenyon College, Ohio. Later that year, at the age of just 36, he became the University of Minnesota's first president, serving from 1869 to 1884. When Folwell assumed the University presidency there was but a single building, and the library consisted of only a 16 volume encyclopedia. After his resignation from the presidency, he remained at the University as professor of political science and librarian.

Folwell later became president of the Minnesota Historical Society serving there from 1924 to 1927. Folwell Hall on the East Bank of the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota is named for him. As is William Watts Folwell Junior High(now Middle)School in South Minneapolis.

Publications
Books written by Folwell:

Papers
William Watts Folwell's papers are available for research use. They include correspondence, civil war letters, genealogical correspondence, manuscripts by Folwell, newspaper clippings, and diaries by Folwell.