Winthrop E. Stone
Encyclopedia
Winthrop Ellsworth Stone (June 12, 1862 – July 17, 1921) was a professor of chemistry and served as the president of Purdue University
from 1900-1921.
Born in Chesterfield
, New Hampshire
, to Frederick L. and Ann (Butler) Stone, he was the older brother of Chief Justice
Harlan Fiske Stone
.
He moved to Amherst, Massachusetts
in 1874, and attended Amherst High School and Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts Amherst
), where he received his bachelor's degree in 1882.
Stone studied chemistry and biology at Boston University
, while also serving as assistant chemist to the Massachusetts State Agricultural Experiment Station from 1884–1886. He then studied at the University of Göttingen, receiving his Ph.D. there in 1888. From 1888 to 1889, he was chemist to the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1889 he joined Purdue University as a Professor of Chemistry, and conducted research in the chemistry of carbohydrates. After serving as Purdue's first vice president from 1892–1900, he became president of the university upon the death of James Smart in 1900. During Stone's tenure, Purdue's schools of agriculture and engineering grew rapidly. President Stone was present at one of Purdue's worst tragedies, the Purdue Wreck
train collision in 1903, tending to those who were injured or dying.
Dr. Stone married his first wife Victoria Heitmueller of Göttingen
in 1889 and they had two children, David Frederick Stone (1890–1987) and Richard Stone. Victoria abandoned the family in 1907, travelling overseas to study philosophy.
Dr. Stone and his second wife Margaret (married in 1912) enjoyed mountaineering and climbed extensively in the Canadian Rockies
and the Selkirks
. On July 17, 1921, Stone fell to his death from the summit of Eon Mountain
shortly after completing the peak's first ascent.
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
from 1900-1921.
Born in Chesterfield
Chesterfield, New Hampshire
Chesterfield is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,604 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Spofford...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, to Frederick L. and Ann (Butler) Stone, he was the older brother of Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Harlan Fiske Stone
Harlan Fiske Stone
Harlan Fiske Stone was an American lawyer and jurist. A native of New Hampshire, he served as the dean of Columbia Law School, his alma mater, in the early 20th century. As a member of the Republican Party, he was appointed as the 52nd Attorney General of the United States before becoming an...
.
He moved to Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
in 1874, and attended Amherst High School and Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
), where he received his bachelor's degree in 1882.
Stone studied chemistry and biology at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, while also serving as assistant chemist to the Massachusetts State Agricultural Experiment Station from 1884–1886. He then studied at the University of Göttingen, receiving his Ph.D. there in 1888. From 1888 to 1889, he was chemist to the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1889 he joined Purdue University as a Professor of Chemistry, and conducted research in the chemistry of carbohydrates. After serving as Purdue's first vice president from 1892–1900, he became president of the university upon the death of James Smart in 1900. During Stone's tenure, Purdue's schools of agriculture and engineering grew rapidly. President Stone was present at one of Purdue's worst tragedies, the Purdue Wreck
Purdue Wreck
The Purdue Wreck was a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 31, 1903, that killed 17 people, including 14 players on the Purdue University football team.Two special trains operated by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St...
train collision in 1903, tending to those who were injured or dying.
Dr. Stone married his first wife Victoria Heitmueller of Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
in 1889 and they had two children, David Frederick Stone (1890–1987) and Richard Stone. Victoria abandoned the family in 1907, travelling overseas to study philosophy.
Dr. Stone and his second wife Margaret (married in 1912) enjoyed mountaineering and climbed extensively in the Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. They are the eastern part of the Canadian Cordillera, extending from the Interior Plains of Alberta to the Rocky Mountain Trench of British Columbia. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana of the USA...
and the Selkirks
Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains are a mountain range spanning the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia. They begin at Mica Peak near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and extend approximately 320 km north from the border. The range is bounded on its west,...
. On July 17, 1921, Stone fell to his death from the summit of Eon Mountain
Eon Mountain
Eon Mountain is located on the border of Alberta and British Columbia on the Continental Divide. It is Alberta's 41st highest peak, and the 53rd highest peak in British Columbia. It was named in 1901 by James Outram....
shortly after completing the peak's first ascent.