Harry Burns Hutchins

Who was Harry Burns Hutchins?

Harry Burns Hutchins was the fourth president of the University of Michigan. He was initially named interim president for one year to succeed James Burrill Angell, but his term was later extended after several other candidates, including Woodrow Wilson, were offered the presidency and declined. Previously, during the absence of President Angell as United States Minister to Turkey, Hutchins had served as Acting President from 1897 to 1898.

Hutchins served as the dean of the university's Law Department from 1895 to 1910. Hutchins Hall, the main classroom and administrative building of the law school, is named after him. From 1887 to 1894, Hutchins organized and led the law department at Cornell University.

At the age of nineteen, in 1866, Hutchins matriculated at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. However, his failing health prevented him from completing his studies there. Subsequently, Hutchins graduated from the University of Michigan in 1871. He received honorary LL.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Wesleyan University, Notre Dame University, the University of California, and the University of Michigan.