The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allyn, Robert

ALLYN, Robert, educator, was born at Ledyard, New London county, Conn., Jan. 25, 1817. He was graduated from Wesleyan university in 1841, and for two years following was teacher of mathematics in Wilbraham academy. In 1842 he joined the New England conference, and from 1843 to 1845 preached at Colchester, Conn., having been transferred to the Providence conference. In 1845 he became principal of Wilbraham academy, resigning the position in 1848 to become principal of the Conference seminary at East Greenwich, R. I. This position he retained until 1854, being a member of the house of representatives of the state in 1852. From 1854 to 1857 he was commissioner of public schools of Rhode Island, and editor of the "Rhode Island School-master." In 1854 he was again a member of the state legislature and also appointed a visitor to the military academy at West Point. He removed to Ohio in 1857 and for two years occupied the chair of ancient languages in Ohio university. From 1857 to 1863 he was president of the Wesleyan female college at Cincinnati, and from 1863 to 1869 was president of the McKendree college at Lebanon, Ill. In 1865 Wesleyan university conferred upon him the degree of D.D., and he received the degree of LL.D. from McKendree college in 1876. In 1874 he was chosen president of the Southern Illinois normal university at Carbondale, Ill., and held that office until his death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1894.