Marion Burton

Background

Nathaniel Judson Burton was born on August 30, 1874 in Brooklyn, Iowa. He was the son of Ira John Henry Burton and Jane Adeliza (Simmons) Burton.

Education

After spending a part of his boyhood in Minneapolis, Nathaniel Burton entered Carleton College (Minnesota) where he graduated in 1900. At the Yale School of Divinity he had studied, and received the degree of B. D. , summa cum laude, in 1906 and of Ph. D. , in 1907.

Career

Marion Burton's public life was divided into three parts, unequal in importance as well as in length. Its first third was occupied in teaching in the Academy of Carleton College (1899 - 1900), in the principalship of Windom Institute, Minnesota (1900 - 03), and in an assistant professorship of theology at Yale (1907 - 08).

The second part of his career, and briefest, lay in the pastorate of the Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, New York (1908 - 09), a pulpit occupied for fifty years by the eloquent Richard Salter Storrs. The third and most important part covered three university presidencies.

The first, preceded by a visit to European universities, in special preparation for his administration, was at Smith College (1910 - 17); the second was at the University of Minnesota (1917 - 20); the third was at the University of Michigan (1920 - 25).

President Burton suffered a heart attack on October 21, 1924 and he died four months later of complications of angina on February 18, 1925 at age 50.

Achievements

• Dr. Marion Burton's major achievement was in his nomination as the President of the University of Michigan. He served in this capacity from 1920 and until his death in 1925. During his term, Dr. Burton's most visible achievements were new buildings. The construction of some 17 new buildings "Burton the Builder" oversaw included work on the University Hospital, an addition to the School of Dentistry, construction of a model high school (now the School of Education) and the East Engineering Building. Further, the William C. Clements Library opened and a separate School of Education was created. Burton was also known for having an unique ability in the raising of funds and in influencing legislatures. He published "The Problem of Evil: A Criticism of the Augustinian Point of View "(1909); and "Our Intellectual Attitude in an Age of Criticism" (1913).

Works

More photos

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  • An address in memory of James A. Garfield

    (This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)

  • Yale Lectures On Preaching: And Other Writings

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • In Pulpit and Parish

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • An Address in Memory of James A. Garfield; Volume 1

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • In Pulpit and Parish

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • An address in memory of James A. Garfield

    (This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)

  • In Pulpit And Parish (1896)

    (This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)

  • Yale lectures on preaching, and other writings

    (High Quality FACSIMILE REPRODUCTION: Burton, Nathaniel J....)

Personality

Dr. Burton was a tall, red-haired man with a good sense of humor, he was a man of extraordinary personality. To his service as administrator, he gave great qualities of personal character--enthusiasm, friendliness, vigor--both intellectual and physical, a just union of humility and of self-respect, optimism, and a distinct charm of manner.

Connections

On June 14, 1900 Nathaniel Burton was married to Nina Leona Moses of Northfield, Minnesota.

Father:

Ira John Henry Burton

Mother:

Jane Adeliza (Simmons) Burton

Wife:

Nina L Moses Burton

1875–1966

Son :

Paul Leonard Burton

1905–1972

Brother :

William David Burton

1872–1949

Brother :

Charles Emerson Burton

1869–1940

Brother :

Clarence Simmons Crain

1867–1928