Ira Nelson Hollis

Ira Nelson Hollis (March 7, 1856 – August 25, 1930) was an American mechanical engineer for the U.S. Navy, Professor of engineering at Harvard University, and 5th president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the years 1917–18.

Biography Youth, education and early naval career Hollis was born at Mooresville, Indiana as son of Ephriam Joseph Hollis, captain in the 59th Indiana Infantry Regiment, and Mary Kearns Hollis. He was raised in Louisville, where he attended the local high school. After graduation he was an apprentice in a machine shop and later a clerk with a railroad and a cotton commission house.

In 1874 Hollis was admitted to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, now United States Naval Academy, at the age of eighteen at the head of the list. He graduated with honors as Cadet-Engineer in 1878 as top of his class.

Selected publications Ira Nelson Hollis, The frigate Constitution; the central figure of the Navy under sail, 1900.

Articles, a selection Hollis, Ira Nelson. "A New Organization for the New Navy." Atlantic Monthly, LXXX (1897), 318–319. Hollis, Ira Nelson. "The Navy and the War with Spain." Atlantic Monthly 82 (1898): 605–10. Hollis, Ira Nelson. "The Uncertain Factors In Naval Conflicts." Atlantic Monthly, June 728 (1898). Hollis, Ira Nelson. "Origin of the Harvard Stadium," Harvard Engineering Journal, 1904.