The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, William Henry

ALLEN, William Henry, educator, was born near Augusta, Me., March 27, 1808. After preparatory study in the Maine Conference seminary, he entered Bowdoin college, where he was graduated in 1833. He was professor of Greek and Latin in the Methodist seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y., from 1833 to 1836, when he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy and chemistry in Dickinson college; and in 1846 he accepted additional duties as professor of English literature and philosophy, acting, during 1847-'48, as president of the college. In January, 1850, he received the appointment of president of Girard college, and in 1862 left there to assume the presidency of the Pennsylvania agricultural college, which he held until 1867, when he returned to Girard college, of which he was president until his death. Dr. Allen was chosen president of the American Bible society in 1872. The degree of LL.D. was conferred on him by Union college in 1850, and the same degree by Emory and Henry college, Virginia. He was a frequent contributor to the secular and religious press. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 29, 1882.