David Allen Anderson

Born in Lamoni, Iowa, in 1874, David Allen Anderson built his career in education and academic leadership. Reliable records connected with Graceland College describe him as one of the institution’s early presidents, and library and catalog sources identify him as the author of The School System of Norway, published in the early 1910s.

That book grew out of serious study rather than casual observation. Catalog records note that it was originally presented as Anderson’s doctoral work at the State University of Iowa, and the surviving edition makes clear that he examined Norwegian education through travel, observation, and conversations with educators. The result is a practical, readable account of how schools were organized, managed, and improved.

Anderson also later served as president of Kent State during the 1920s, showing how closely his writing was tied to a broader life in higher education. He died in 1958, leaving behind a small but useful body of work for readers interested in education, comparative systems, and the history of schooling.