Wannamaker, William Hane, b. 1873.

William Hane Wannamaker (1873-1958) was a professor and administrator at Trinity College and Duke University for over four decades. He served as Dean of Trinity College and Vice President for the Educational Division, and was responsible for critical decisions regarding student, faculty, and administrative policies.

From the description of William H. Wannamaker papers, 1917-1948. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 57225800

William Hane Wannamaker was born September 28, 1873 in Bamberg, South Carolina. He attended Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., and received the A.B. degree in 1895. He worked as a school principal for several years, then in 1900, his former professor at Wofford, Trinity President John C. Kilgo, encouraged him to come to Trinity College, Durham, N.C., as instructor in English and graduate student. He received the A.M. degree from Trinity in 1901. He studied at Harvard University, earning an A.M. there in 1902, and completed additional study at several universities in Germany.

He returned to Trinity College as a professor of German language and literature in 1905. In 1910, another former professor from Wofford, William P. Few, became president at Trinity, and Wannamaker became a member of the college's administrative committee. In 1917, he received a Litt.D. degree from Wofford College. In the same year he was named Dean of Trinity College. After Trinity College became Duke University, Wannamaker remained as Dean and became Vice President for the Educational Division in 1926, a post he held until he retired in 1948. According to historian Robert F. Durden, "Wannamaker held the primary responsibility (along with President Few) for faculty recruitment and development--a large task in a rapidly expanding, new research university."

In addition to his academic administrative duties, Wannamaker chaired the Athletic Committee at Duke. He also served on the Board of Education of the City of Durham for 24 years, and was chairman of this board from 1925 to 1947. Wannamaker was also a Trustee of Watts Hospital and a Rotarian.

After his retirement, Wannamaker was named Vice-Chancellor, a title he held until his death in Pine Bluff, N.C., on August 2, 1958. Wannamaker is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Durham, N.C. Wannamaker married Isabel Stringfellow of Chester, S.C., on June 30, 1903. They had four children: Margaret Elizabeth, William Hane, Isabel, and Harriet Foote. Isabel Stringfellow Wannamaker died in November 1957.

From the guide to the William H. Wannamaker Papers, ., 1917 - 1948, (University Archives, Duke University)