Charles King

Charles King

See also Wikipedia's article about "Charles King (academic)".

Charles King was the ninth president of the college, serving from 1849 to 1863. His father, Rufus King, was one of the framers and signers of the U.S. Constitution. Charles himself had been a newspaper publisher prior to his ascension to the presidency.

King was a believer in "copy[ing] the virtues of the English university system," a policy he espoused in his inaugural address. Some of his more notable acts included moving his entire family into College Hall (which may explain why Columbia upped and moved to the Midtown campus during his tenure) and having Columbia College hire his daughter and pay her a princely salary.

King was also "fond of outdoor exercise and sports, attempted to interest the students in them, and met with but little encouragement". But he was more successful persuading the trustees to appoint a "teacher of boxing and fencing".

External links

• Addresses at the Inauguration of Mr. Charles King as President of Columbia College, New York (1849)

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Preceded by Nathaniel Fish Moore

President of Columbia University  1849-1863

Succeeded by Frederick A. P. Barnard