Thomas Sovereign Gates

Thomas Sovereign Gates (March 21, 1873 – April 8, 1948) was an American investment banker and educator. He was the first president of the University of Pennsylvania from 6 October 1930 until 1944, and was the father of United States Secretary of Defense Thomas S. Gates, Jr.

Biography Born in Philadelphia, Gates was a student at Germantown Academy and University of Pennsylvania.

He went into banking and eventually served as a director of several companies, including the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Company, the Baldwin Locomotive Company, and more.

Before his election as university president, Gates had served for ten years as a Trustee of the University and as Chairman of the University of Pennsylvania Fund. Gates was heavily involved in plans for the development of the new Valley Forge campus for the University; however, the idea was eventually dropped in favor of expanding Penn's West Philadelphia campus, not before currying strong support. He worked to fund and create a number of other facilities throughout the university.