Concise Encyclopedia of Tufts History
Sauer, Anne
Branco, Jessica
Bennett, John
Crowley, Zachary
2000
Capen, Elmer Hewitt, 1838-1905
Elmer Hewitt Capen (1838-1905), A1860, was the third president of Tufts, serving from 1875 to1905. | |
He was born on April 5, 1838, in Stoughton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Tufts in 1860, practiced law for a short time, and then became a Universalist minister. While still an undergraduate, Capen was elected to, and served in, the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He relinquished his seat after one term in order to finish his studies and graduate with his class. | |
Capen presided over the continued expansion of course and program offerings at Tufts, and the beginning of co-education (over his own objections) in 1892. Elmer Capen died in office on March 22, 1905. A bronze bust of Capen remains in Goddard Chapel. | |
The residence he constructed for himself and his family while president, at 8 Professors Row, is still known as Capen House. | |
Source: History from finding aid for the Elmer Hewitt Capen collection, UA001.004 | |
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