Bryan, Richard W. D.

Richard William Dickinson Bryan, Arctic explorer, educator, and lawyer, was born in New York on October 6, 1849. He served as a government astronomer on the Hall Arctic Expedition, 1871-1873. He received his law degree in 1876. In August 1882 he went to Albuquerque, New Mexico to become superintendent of the Albuquerque Indian School where he served until the Presbyterian home mission board ended its management of the school in 1886. As superintendent, he introduced industrial education to the school. He encouraged family interaction, believing that the school should be close enough for parents to visit and that the students should have extended vacations at home. Bryan helped to organize the Territorial Educational Association of New Mexico, and was chosen as the first president of the association. After leaving his post at the school he continued to live in Albuquerque practicing law and participating in community affairs. At the time of his death on February 10, 1913, he was President of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents.

From the guide to the Richard W. D. Bryan Photograph Collection, 1880-1929, (Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico.)

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