Benedict, Harry Yandell, 1869-1937

Harry Yandell Benedict (1869-1937) was a mathematician, astronomer and educator. He served as the tenth president of the University of Texas from 1927 until his death. Benedict belonged to many academic societies and authored several books. He was instrumental in the building of the McDonald Observatory. Benedict Hall on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, is named for him.

Yandell Benedict served in World War II and spent approximately seven months as a prisoner of war in Germany. He is the second son of former University of Texas President, Harry Yandell Benedict.

Mathematics and astronomy.

Harry Yandell Benedict was born on November 14, 1869, in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1877 he moved to Texas with his mother and brother, Carl, to live on land along the Brazos River in Young and Stephens counties.

Benedict enrolled in the University of Texas on examination in February 1889 and received a bachelor's degree with honors in civil engineering in 1892, and a Master of Arts degree in 1893. He was employed as an assistant at the McCormick Observatory at the University of Virginia from 1893 to 1895. In 1898, he studied at Harvard University where he received a Ph.D. in mathematical astronomy.

Benedict was in charge ad interim of mathematics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University in 1899. Later that same year, he left Vanderbilt and joined the University of Texas faculty as a mathematics instructor. He became a professor of applied mathematics and astronomy in 1907. From 1909 to 1911 he was director of extension. In 1911 he was promoted to dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1927 he became the tenth president of the University of Texas. He was the first ex-student to become president and he occupied that office longer than anyone else in the University's history. During his administration, President Benedict oversaw a major building construction program that added 15 new buildings to the campus, including construction of the McDonald Observatory.

President Benedict was the author of several books. He wrote Unified Mathematics with two other mathematicians (1915). With John A. Lomax, he wrote Book of Texas in 1916. He also completed A Source Book of Legislative History of the University of Texas in 1917 and Peregrinusings in 1924. At the time of his death, he was writing a history of the University of Texas.

President Benedict was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and president of the Texas Academy of Science. He held memberships in many professional organizations including the American Mathematical Society and the American Astronomical Society. Benedict was awarded honorary doctor of laws degrees from Baylor University in 1920 and from Southwestern University in 1929. He died on May 10, 1937. Benedict Hall, located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, was named in his honor in April 1953.

From: Berry, Margaret C. “Benedict, Harry Yandell (1869-1937),” Handbook of Texas Online .