Kimpton, Lawrence A.

Lawrence Alpheus Kimpton, President of the University of Chicago, 1951-1960. The Lawrence Alpheus Kimpton Papers consist of press release excerpts as well as draft and published copies of Kimpton's speeches.

Lawrence A. Kimpton was born on October 7, 1910. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and attended college at Stanford University, receiving his B.A. in 1927 and his M.A in 1932. After Stanford, Kimpton attended Cornell University and received his Ph.D. in philosophy in 1935. After receiving his Ph.D., Kimpton began teaching English, German, and philosophy at Deep Springs College in California. After leaving Deep Springs in 1941, Kimpton moved to Nevada and briefly operated a cattle ranch. In 1942 Kimpton joined the University of Kansas City as dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Kimpton came to the University of Chicago in 1943 as Chief Administrative Officer to the Metallurgical project connected with research on the atomic bomb. He served as Dean of Students and Professor of Philosophy from 1944 to 1946. He became Vice President and Dean of the Faculties in 1946. Kimpton's career at Chicago was interrupted by an interim at Stanford where he was Dean of Students from 1947 to 1950. In 1950 Chancellor Robert M. Hutchins persuaded Kimpton to return to Chicago in the capacity of Vice President in Charge of Development. On April 12, 1951, at the age of 40 Kimpton was named Mr. Hutchins' successor. He was formally inaugurated October 18, 1951.

During his tenure, Kimpton focused on reforming the University's bachelor's degree, renewing the community surrounding the University, rebuilding the University's infrastructure, balancing the budget, and restoring the financial stability of the University.

In 1960 Kimpton announced his resignation. He later assumed the position as a director and general manager in charge of planning for Standard Oil Company of Indiana. Lawrence A. Kimpton died in 1977.