Richard Henry Jesse

Richard Henry Jesse (May 1, 1853 – January 21, 1921) was an American educator who served as the eighth president of the University of Missouri.

Biography Jesse was born in Lancaster County, Virginia, on May 1, 1853, to William T. Jesse and Mary Jesse (née Claybrook). From 1873 to 1875, he studied at the University of Virginia, after which he taught French and mathematics at Hanover Academy, which he had attended at a younger age. He then supervised Washington Academy in Princess Anne, Maryland in 1877 and 1878. He married Addie Henry Polk in 1882, who he had met in Maryland. Addie was distantly related to President James K. Polk.

Jesse was part of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette faculty from 1878 to 1884, teaching English, Greek, and Latin, as well as being head of its academic department. He was a senior Latin professor at Tulane University from 1884 to 1891. He believed Tuland and the University of Louisiana should be combined, which happened in 1884. In 1897, he served as chairman of the National Education Association. He is buried at the Columbia Cemetery. Jesse Hall is named for him, and he is an honorary member of the Acacia Fraternity. His papers are held by the State Historical Society of Missouri.