William Joseph Martin Jr.
William Joseph Martin Jr. was the tenth president of Davidson College, being installed as president in 1912. Martin, the son of a Confederate veteran who was also a professor at Davidson, graduated from Davidson in 1888. After receiving advanced degrees from the University of Virginia and further instruction at Johns Hopkins University, Martin eventually found his way back to Davidson as a chemistry professor.
As president, Martin steered the College through World War I, where many students left college to fight, by bringing a Student Army Training Corps program to campus. Also, the main academic building, Chambers Building, burned down but Martin was able to secure funding to replace the building. Martin also established a relationship with the Duke Endowment, a relationship that exists still today.
After his retirement, Martin left to work in the PCUSA training school, but returned to Davidson to teach.
The main chemistry building at Davidson is named in his honor.
