Lewis Ellsworth Akeley

Lewis Ellsworth Akeley (February 22, 1861 – September 5, 1961) was an American academic. He served in various roles at the University of South Dakota (USD) between 1887 and his retirement in 1933, including as lecturer of various topics, including physics and chemistry; and Dean of Engineering for 25 years. He also served as a mentor to Ernest Lawrence, who would go on to earn the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Akeley died in 1961 at the age of 100, making him a centenarian. Akeley was posthumously inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1978.

Early life and education Lewis Ellsworth Akeley was born on February 22, 1861, in Clarendon, New York.