Frederic W. Boatwright

Who was Frederic W. Boatwright?

Frederic W. Boatwright was president of Richmond College, now the University of Richmond, from 1895 to 1946.

Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Boatwright entered Richmond College in 1883 at the age of 15. He graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1888 and pursued graduate study at the University of Halle, Sorbonne, and the University of Leipzig. Elected president of Richmond College in 1895 at the age of twenty-seven, Boatwright led the university for 51 years, one of the longest terms of service of any college president. In 1914, under Dr. Boatwright's leadership, the College moved from the Fan district of downtown Richmond to its current West End campus.

Boatwright Memorial Library, opened in 1955 on the school's campus, is named in his honor. Earl Hamner, creator of the hit CBS-TV series The Waltons, attended Richmond College during Boatwright's tenure, and named the fictional Boatwright University where the character of John-Boy Walton attended college after him.