Wilson, John T. (John Todd), 1914-1990

Ninth president (1975-1978) of the University of Chicago. Born 1914. A.B. from George Washington University (1941), M.A. from State University of Iowa (1942), and Ph. D. from Stanford University (1948). Expert on relations between universities and government. Died 1990.

John Todd Wilson (1914-1990) received his A.B. degree with distinction from George Washington University in 1941 and an M.A. in 1942 from the State University of Iowa, studying psychology, philosophy, and education. During World War II, Wilson served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, helping administer a selection and training program for officers. After the war, he continued his education by earning a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University in 1948.

Wilson then worked for the American Psychological Association while teaching as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at George Washington University. He returned to government service in 1950 as head of the Personnel and Training Research Branch of the Office of Naval Research. In 1952 he then went on to work for the newly created National Science Foundation, where he served as the assistant director of the Biological and Medical Sciences Division.

Wilson first came to the University of Chicago in 1961 as a special assistant to President George W. Beadle. He was also appointed as Professor of Psychology and taught graduate level courses. Then from 1963 to 1968 Wilson served as Deputy Director of the NSF and received the Foundation's first Distinguished Service Award.

Wilson returned to the University of Chicago in 1968 as Vice-President and Dean of Faculties. He became Provost in 1969 under President Edward H. Levi and held the position until February 1975 when Levi resigned to become U.S. Attorney General. Wilson then became Acting President, expecting to hold the position until a replacement was found. He was elected President by the Board of Trustees on December 9, 1975 and, although initially reluctant to accept the post, he accepted with the expectation that he would retire in a few years, near his 65th birthday

While Provost, Wilson responded to the economic pressures of inflation and cutbacks in government aid to education by implementing a five-year austerity plan to bring the budget back into balance. As President, Wilson was able to follow through on his plans, so that the university could maintain a "functional steady-state." Due to his background, Wilson became a noted expert on the relations between universities and government. He retired from the presidency in 1978, but continued teaching at the university until 1984. As President, Wilson was noted for his fundraising efforts at a time of financial difficulty for all universities, and as a supporter of student activities.