James Henry Smart

James Henry Smart (June 30, 1841 – February 21, 1900) was an American educator and administrator who served as the fourth president of Purdue University from August 23, 1883, until his death in 1900. An initiative of his led to the founding of the organization today known as the Big Ten Conference in 1896.

Biography Early life and career Born in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, to Dr. William Hutchings Smart and Nancy Farrington Smart, he was initially homeschooled but eventually attended Concord High School at age 12 in 1853. After being employed as a bookkeeper, he returned to Concord at age 17 in 1858 as a temporary teacher.

Personal life and death Smart married Mary H. Swan on July 21, 1870, and had a son, Richard Addison Smart, and a daughter, Mary Farrington Smart.

Smart died of natural causes on February 21, 1900, aged 58, and is buried in Spring Vale Cemetery in Lafayette, Indiana.