List of presidents of Brown University


The following is a list of presidents of Brown University From 1765 to the 1920s, the president was required by the University Charter to be of the Baptist denomination:
PresidentBrown ClassLifeTenureEvents
1.James Manning–1738–17911765–1791The College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is established in Warren, RI, moves to Providence and establishes campus on College Hill. American Revolution.
2.Jonathan Maxcy17871768–18201792–1802First alum to be president
3.Asa Messer17901769–18361802–1826The College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is renamed as Brown University; first Medical School founded
4.Francis Wayland–1796–18651827–1855Suspension of the Medical School
5.Barnas Sears18251802–18801855–1867
6.Alexis Caswell18221799–18771868–1872
7.Ezekiel Robinson18381815–18941872–1889Graduate study instituted
8.Elisha Andrews18701844–19171889–1898Women's College founded
9.William Faunce18801859–19301899–1929Women's College renamed to Pembroke College
10.Clarence Barbour18881867–19371929–1937Last of long line of Baptist minister Presidents-
11.Henry Wriston–1889–19781937–1955First non-Baptist president and first president since Wayland to not be a Brown alumnus-
12.Barnaby Keeney–1914–19801955–1966-
13.Ray Heffner–1925–20121966–1969New Curriculum passed-
14.Donald Hornig–1920–20131970–1976Pembroke merged with Brown, Medical School founded-
15.Howard Swearer–1932–19911977–1988-
16.Vartan Gregorian–1934–1989–1997
17.Gordon Gee–1944–1998–2000
– Sheila Blumstein–1944–February 2000-July 2001Blumstein served as Dean of the College at Brown from 1987-1995; as Interim Provost in 1998; and as Interim President from February 2000 to July 2001-
18.Ruth Simmons–1945–2001–2012In 2001, Time named Simmons as America's best college president. First African-American President of an Ivy League school
19.Christina Paxson–1960–2012–