Paul Klapper

Born in Iași, Romania, on July 17, 1885, he came to the United States as a child and built his career in New York education. He taught at the City College of New York from 1907, later becoming a full professor and then dean of its School of Education.

In 1937, he became the first president of Queens College, where he guided the young institution through its formative years and remained a central figure until his retirement from the presidency in 1948. Archival records at Queens College describe him as the college's first president, and his long career made him an important administrator as well as a public advocate for education.

He was also a prolific writer for teachers and school leaders. His books included works on teaching children to read, arithmetic, English, and history, showing a broad interest in how subjects should be taught in schools. He died on March 25, 1952.