John Wesley Hill Papers
Dates
- Undated
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice.
Conditions Governing Use
The nature of the University Archives and Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Carnagie-Vincent Library claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials
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Biographical / Historical
John Wesly Hill (1863-1936) was born in Ohio in 1863. He earned B.A. at Ohio Northern University, D.D. from Boston Theological Seminary, and LL.D. from Upper Iowa University. He then worked as a methodist minster in Washington state, Utah, Montana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. He also campaigned for his friend William McKiney in 1896 and served as a chaplain of Pennsylvania Senate in 1900.
He became chancellor of LMU in 1916, with his major role being fundraising for the institution. He was successful in garnering donations raising over $2 million dollars during his 20 years and created awareness of LMU as an educational institution.
Some major achievements included receiving money to create a new multipurpose building from both Henry Ford and Benjamin N. Duke in 1927-28 while he was interim president, leading to the creation of Duke Hall. He would also conceptualize the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum.
While originally his position focused on financials, Hill’s voice held a substantial sway. He remained through five different presidents (George A. Hubbell, Robert O. Matthews, Hervin U. Roop, H. Robinson Shipherd, Stewart W. McClelland) all with various controversies. Some examples included firing faculty/staff who opposed him as well as his activity against students during the 1930 Student Strike.
Hill resigned in May of 1936. He and his wife settled in New York, where he pursued literary projects. He passed in October of 1936.
Information summarized from:
Hess, Earl J. Lincoln Memorial University and the shaping of Appalachia. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2011. Chapter 6.
Extent
1 Legal-sized Hollinger Box (0.4 linear feet)
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- John Wesley Hill Papers
- Author
- Finding Aid uploaded and edited by Olivia Coyne (2025)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives & Special Collections Repository
Lincoln Memorial Univesity
Carnegie-Vincent Library
6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway
Harrogate Tennessee 37752 United States
archives@lmunet.edu