Edward Capps

Edward Capps Sr. (December 21, 1866 – August 21, 1950) was an American diplomat, professor of Philology, and colonel.

Biography Capps was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on December 21, 1866. He would go on to graduate from Illinois College in 1887 and later receive a PhD from Yale in 1891.

In 1890 Capps was appointed tutor at Yale. As a scholar he was noted for his productivity and received praises from individuals such as Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff for his work on classical philology. He also had a notable friendship with President Woodrow Wilson, which helped him gain international prominence, aided even more so by his role as the editor of the first volumes of the Loeb Classical Library.

Capps would also make a name for himself serving on the managing committee of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) from 1908 to 1950, during which he acted as chair between 1919 and 1939. These efforts saw the school's endowment increase significantly and earned Capps the nickname of the 'second founder' of the school.

Capps also served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to both Greece and Montenegro on behalf of the United States in 1920 at the behest of his friend President Wilson. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society that same year.

During the fallout of the Greco-Turkish War, Capps would make a name for himself as a humanitarian by aiding the Greek refugees. Using his position as the American Red Cross Commissioner to Greece and his rank as a colonel, his efforts would see success and result in the Greek government awarding him both the Order of the Redeemer and the Medal of Military Merit.

Capps died on August 21, 1950, in Princeton, New Jersey.

Capps's alma mater of Illinois College would also honor his legacy by establishing the 'Edward Capps Professorship of Humanities.'

Capps's daughter Priscilla Capps Hill was director of Near East Industries in Athens, and longtime supporter of ASCSA. His son, Edward Capps Jr. taught art history at Oberlin College.