William H. Hatch

William Henry Hatch (September 11, 1833 – December 23, 1896) was a U.S. representative from Missouri. He was the namesake of the Hatch Act of 1887, which established state agricultural experiment stations for the land-grant colleges. Hatch is also the namesake of Hatch Hall, a Residence Hall at the University of Missouri.

Early life

William Henry Hatch was born on September 11, 1833 near Georgetown, Kentucky. Hatch attended the schools of Lexington, Kentucky, and studied law at a law office in Richmond. He was admitted to the bar in Kentucky in 1854.

Legacy Hatch is the namesake of the community of Hatch, Missouri. While William Hatch is by no means a household name, his name has become synonymous with the agricultural experiment stations that were founded by his legislation. He is best remembered through the many laboratories and lecture halls named in his memory at land-grant institutions across the US.

In his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, a bronze statue was erected in his name in 1914, nearly 20 years after his death, which stands in the center of that town today. In 1987 a plaque was added to this monument commemorating the centennial of the Hatch Act of 1887.