Rush Rhees

Born in Chicago on February 8, 1860, Benjamin Rush Rhees—usually known as Rush Rhees—studied at Amherst College and Rochester Theological Seminary before entering Baptist ministry. He later became the third president of the University of Rochester, taking office in 1900.

During his long presidency, which lasted until 1935, the university expanded significantly in size and reputation. He was closely associated with major developments in Rochester higher education, including the growth that led to the River Campus, and his leadership left such a strong mark that the university’s iconic library was named for him.

Rhees died in Rochester, New York, on January 5, 1939. Remembered as a steady, influential educator as well as a clergyman, he remains an important figure in the history of the University of Rochester.