Bevis, Howard L. (Howard Landis), 1885-1968

Seventh president of The Ohio State University (1940-56) and Professor of Law. Formerly Professor of Government and Law in the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University; Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court; Ohio Director of Finance.

From the description of Papers, [ca. 1937-ca. 1957]. (Ohio State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 24675029

Howard Landis Bevis was born on November 19, 1885, in Bevis, Ohio. The small village was named after his ancestors, who were some of the first settlers in the Northwest Territory. Bevis received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1908, and two years later received a bachelor of laws degree there. He earned his doctorate in the Science of Law at Harvard Law School in 1920. Bevis married fellow University of Cincinnati alumnus Alma D. Murray in 1914.

He practiced law in Ohio until he was called into duty during World War I, serving in the Ordinance Department and later for the Army Air Service's Finance Division. After the war, he returned to the University of Cincinnati as a professor of law. In 1931, he was appointed to State Director of Finance by Ohio Governor George White, then he was appointed as an associate justice for the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1933. Bevis later returned to Harvard for several years as a professor of government and law for its Graduate School of Business Administration.

In 1940, he was appointed as President of the Ohio State University. Bevis served as President for sixteen years, guiding the university through World War II and through a post-war period of expansion both in enrollment and facilities. Under University rules in force at the time, Bevis retired in 1956, having reached the age of 70. He continued to be involved with the University, however, and was also involved with government committees and community projects. He received 13 honorary degrees in his lifetime, including two from the Ohio State University.

On Wednesday, April 24, 1968, Howard Landis Bevis died at the age of 82 in Columbus, Ohio.

From the guide to the Howard Landis Bevis papers, 1940-1956, (The Ohio State University Archives.)