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Charles Kendall Adams

1835 – 1902

American educator and historian

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About Charles Kendall Adams

Lived 1835 – 1902 (aged 67). Charles Kendall Adams was an American historian, university teacher, writer, teacher, academic administrator and pedagogue.

Charles Kendall Adams (January 24, 1835 – July 26, 1902) was an American educator and historian. He served as the second president of Cornell University from 1885 until 1892, and as president of the University of Wisconsin from 1892 until 1901. At Cornell he established a new law school, built a library, and appointed eminent research professors for the Ivy League school. At Wisconsin, he negotiated ever-increasing appropriations from the state legislature, especially for new buildings such as the library. He was the editor-in-chief of Johnson's Universal Cyclopaedia (1892–1895),

Taking a post-graduate course of study, he was employed to teach one of the classes in history, and at the end of the year was appointed instructor of history and Latin. He was forced to resign at Cornell due to conflicts with the faculty over honorary degrees and control of faculty appointments. Also in 1881, he was simultaneously invited to the presidency of the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska, both of which positions were declined. In 1890 he was president of the American Historical Association.

Works Democracy and Monarchy in France (1871) Representative British Orations (1884)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Michigan, Master of Arts
Employers
University of Michigan, Cornell University, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Awards
Legum Doctor
Also known as
Charles K. Adams, Charles Adams

Family & relationships

Spouse
Mary Mathews Adams

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Charles Kendall Adams's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Charles Kendall Adams?

American educator and historian (1835–1902)

When was Charles Kendall Adams born?

Charles Kendall Adams was born on 24 January 1835 in Derby.

When did Charles Kendall Adams die?

Charles Kendall Adams died on 26 July 1902 in Redlands.

What was Charles Kendall Adams's occupation?

Charles Kendall Adams was a historian, university teacher, writer, teacher, academic administrator and pedagogue.

What nationality was Charles Kendall Adams?

Charles Kendall Adams was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Charles Kendall Adams

· Wikidata: Q518386

· DBpedia: Charles Kendall Adams

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charles Kendall Adams. https://biography.guide/charles-kendall-adams/

MLA: "Charles Kendall Adams." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charles-kendall-adams/.

Chicago: "Charles Kendall Adams." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charles-kendall-adams/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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