The Making of University of Michigan History

Marion Leroy Burton named president...

On July 1, 1920, Marion Leroy Burton, president of the University of Minnesota, became Michigan's fifth president. Tall, red-headed, with a commanding presence and a persuasive voice, he could captivate students and legislators alike. His talent for organization and vision of an expanding university exactly fit the needs and spirit of the post-war age. His tenure was tragically short, however, as he died in February 1925 following a heart attack. He had doubled the university's annual income and secured more than $10 million in appropriations and $2 million in gifts for new buildings.

Additional Resources


Photo Source: Marion LeRoy Burton papers, 1901-1925, Box 23