John Wesley Johnson

John Wesley Johnson (born 22 March 1836 – September 14, 1893) was an American academic administrator and a notable figure in the early development of Oregon's higher education. He is probably best known today as the first President of the University of Oregon, serving from 1876 to his death in 1893.

Early years In 1850, John Wesley Johnson and his family immigrated from Missouri to the Oregon Territory. Like many families who ventured West on the Oregon Trail, the Johnsons experienced many hardships. Johnson's mother and sister both died on the journey near Ash Hollow, Nebraska. At 14, Johnson was tasked with driving the family's team of oxen along the 2,000-mile trek to their new home in Corvallis, Oregon. During this period, Corvallis was one of the most politically influential cities in the territory, making it a leading destination for many pioneers. Corvallis briefly served as the territorial capital in 1855.

While growing up in Missouri, Johnson had no formal education and first learned to read and write at the age of 10. As a 17-year-old, Johnson began attending school in Corvallis and was said to have excelled academically. Amongst his teachers, he had a reputation as a brilliant student, which allowed him to graduate early. In 1855, he enrolled in Pacific University in Forest Grove. Johnson completed the college's available higher-level curriculum over the next year and then returned to Corvallis to serve as the first instructor and principal of Corvallis Academy (1856–1860). The academy, which eventually became Oregon State University, offered the first form of public higher education to residents of the Oregon Territory and later the state of Oregon.

Johnson applied to Yale University while still administering Corvallis Academy. However, the cost of attending the prestigious school was too high, and he alone did not have the means to pay for the education. At 24-years-old he secured a loan to cover his tuition and set out by ship for the Eastern Seaboard. In 1873, Johnson was hired by the University of Oregon (known then as Oregon State University) as a Latin professor. On July 26, 1876, the University of Oregon Board of Regents met (immediately upon the state land board's official acceptance of Deady Hall) and elected Johnson the school's first president. Thomas Condon, Mary Spiller and Mark Bailey were also elected to the faculty that day.

University of Oregon During his tenure at the University of Oregon, Johnson taught Greek and Latin. He served not only as president, but as registrar, business officer, provost, dean of students and secretary. His 17 years as president helped foster great expansion at the Eugene school, including the construction of Villard Hall in 1886 and the dormitory (now Friendly Hall) in 1893. Throughout his career, Johnson was a statewide advocate for public higher education in Oregon and overcame many objections by residents and state leaders to public support of local colleges and universities. Johnson died, unexpectedly at 56, while still serving as president in 1893.

Legacy In 1918, the Administration Building (completed in 1915) was renamed Johnson Hall in honor of John Wesley Johnson. In 1985, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.