Ovid Butler (1801-1881) - Find a Grave Memorial

Social Reformer. He was born in Augusta, New York but at the age of sixteen moved with his family to Indiana where he became a successful preacher, lawyer and publisher. An ardent opponent of slavery he established, in 1849, an Indianapolis newspaper called "The Free Soil Banner" which espoused his political views against slavery. The following year he led an effort to begin a Christian college in Indiana. In five years he raised the money and purchased the property needed to establish North Western Christian College on the outskirts of Indianapolis. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors for sixteen years, retiring at the age of seventy in 1871. Under his leadership the school became the second university in the US to admit both men and women on an equal basis, the second college in the nation to appoint a woman to its faculty and it was the first American university to establish an endowed chair specifically for a female professor. After his retirement Butler was named Chancellor of the school and he was furthered honored when on February 28, 1877 the school changed its name to Butler University. The University still thrives as a highly ranked private liberal arts institution.

Bio by: Bigwoo