Boyd, Thomas Duckett, 1854-1932

Thomas Duckett Boyd, younger brother of David French Boyd, was born on Jan. 20, 1854 to Minerva French and Thomas Jefferson Boyd of Wytheville, Virginia. He received his formal education at Louisiana State University, graduating in 1872 with a master of arts degree. He married Annie Fuqua, sister of Governor Henry Fuqua, March 1882. He participated in civic, religious and professional organizations including American Legion, and was instrumental in the formation of the Louisiana Education Association.

His career in education began in 1873 when David, superintendent of Louisiana State University offered him a position on the teaching faculty. He was later appointed acting president of LSU upon David's resignation in 1886, however he refused this as a permanent appointment, and left in 1888 to serve as president of the State Normal School in Natchitoches, Louisiana. In 1897 the LSU Board of Supervisors again offered the position of president which he accepted and served until 1927.

Under his administration the university underwent rapid expansion and change. It grew from sixteen to thirty-seven departments, the Audubon Sugar School moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, and a law school was established at LSU. With his support female students were admitted to the university for the first time, and he oversaw the construction of the new campus at its present location.