Bryan, Enoch Albert, 1855-1941

He came to Washington State University (then called Washington Agricultural College) in 1893 and served as its president until 1916, when he became the Commissioner of Education for the State of Idaho, from 1917 to 1923. He had failed in 1916 to attain the nomination for a seat in the United States Senate. Dr. Bryan returned to Washington State University in 1923 and was a professor of economic history until 1939, when he became a professor emeritus.

President, Washington State University, 1893-1915; historian and economist.

Enoch A. Bryan was born in Bloomington, Indiana, on May 10, 1855. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree (A.B.) from Indiana University in 1878 and a Master of Arts degree (A.M.) from the same institution in 1885. In 1893, he returned to school and received another Master of Arts degree (A.M.) from Harvard University. He had three Honorary Doctor of Law degrees bestowed: one from Michigan State University in 1907, one from Indiana University in 1920, and one from Washington State University in 1929. After beginning his career as the Superintendent of Public Schools in Grayville, Illinois, Bryan served as the President of Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana, from 1882 to 1893. He came to Washington State University (then Washington Agricultural College) as President in 1893 and served in that capacity until 1916. In 1916, Bryan attempted to attain the Washington State nomination for a seat in the United States Senate but was defeated. In 1917, he became the Commissioner of Education for the State of Idaho, serving until 1923. Bryan then returned to Washington State University as a professor of economic history. He served in that capacity until 1939 when he retired with the rank of Professor Emeritus. Dr. Bryan died in Pullman, Washington, on November 6, 1941.