Daniel Coit Gilman and the Birth of the American Research University

by Michael T. Benson

Overview

One of the most remarkable education leaders of the late nineteenth century and the creator of the modern American research university finally gets his due.

Daniel Coit Gilman, a Yale-trained geographer who first worked as librarian at his alma mater, led a truly remarkable life. He was selected as the third president of the University of California; was elected as the first president of Johns Hopkins University, where he served for twenty-five years; served as one of the original founders of the Association of American Universities; and—at an age when most retired—was hand-picked by Andrew Carnegie to head up his eponymous institution in Washington, DC.

In Daniel Coit Gilman and the Birth of the American Research University, Michael T. Benson argues that Gilman's enduring legacy will always be as the father of the modern research university—a uniquely American invention that remains the envy of the entire world. In the past half-century, nothing has been written about Gilman that takes into account his detailed journals, reviews his prodigious correspondence, or considers his broad external board service. This book fills an enormous void in the history of the birth of the "new" American system of higher education, especially as it relates to graduate education. The late 1800s, Benson points out, is one of the most pivotal periods in the development of the American university model; this book reveals that there is no more important figure in shaping that model than Daniel Coit Gilman.

Benson focuses on Gilman's time deliberating on, discussing, developing, refining, and eventually implementing the plan that brought the modern research university to life in 1876. He also explains how many university elements that we take for granted—the graduate fellowships, the emphasis on primary investigations and discovery, the funding of the best laboratory and research spaces, the scholarly journals, the university presses, the sprawling health sciences complexes with teaching hospitals—were put in place by Gilman at Johns Hopkins University. Ultimately, the book shows, Gilman and his colleagues forced all institutions to reexamine their own model and to make the requisite changes to adapt, survive, thrive, compete, and contribute.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421444161
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	10/18/2022
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.22(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael T. Benson (MYRTLE BEACH, SC) is the president of Coastal Carolina University, where he is also a professor of history. He is the author of Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel and the coauthor of College for the Commonwealth: A Case for Higher Education in American Democracy.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Yale and the Life-Giving Springs of New Haven
Chapter 2. The House of Our Expectations in California
Chapter 3. The Three Great Advisers
Chapter 4. Gilman the Recruiter
Chapter 5. Launching Our Bark upon the Patapsco
Chapter 6. Advancing Knowledge Far and Wide
Chapter 7. The Slater Fund and Attempts to Integrate Hopkins
Chapter 8. Allies, Not Rivals
Conclusion
Notes
Works Cited
Index

What People are Saying About This

John Thelin

Michael Benson's fresh biography of Daniel Coit Gilman shows how an inspired president helped to transform the ideal of a great university into a reality with the founding of the Johns Hopkins University.

E. Gordon Gee

The history of Johns Hopkins University is the history of the modern American research university. And, the architect of that modern university was Johns Hopkins President, Daniel Coit Gilman. Michael Benson has written a much-needed biography of Dr. Gilman, while at the same time providing a very insightful history into the growth and development of the American research university. This may be a biography about Gilman but, more importantly, it also represents a critical contribution to the history of higher education in twentieth century America.

Sally Mason

For those who might be curious about how our American Research Universities evolved to become the best in the world, the history of Daniel Coit Gilman's rise to the presidency of Johns Hopkins and his visionary leadership are key to setting the stage for the evolution of research and creative activities as integral parts of American higher education.

Mary Sue Coleman

Michael T. Benson has brought to life Daniel Coit Gilman and his extraordinary impact on American higher education and shows how, more so than at any other university, Johns Hopkins University's early graduates shaped the academy as it entered the 20th century. Benson's impressive biography is a welcome addition to our understanding of a most unique institution: the American research university.

Jonathan R. Cole

Until now, too little has been written about Hopkins' founding president, Daniel Coit Gilman. Now, finally, Michael T. Benson has written the definitive biography of the man who changed our educational paradigm almost single-handedly. With grace, insight, and rich description, Benson takes us along on the travels of Gilman. This book will allow you to rethink the history of the culture, values, and individual creativity that allowed our research universities to produce scholars and scientists of the first rank. It should be read by anyone interested in the history of education and the evolution of American society. You'll find it a treat to read.

James K. Stimpert

Michael T. Benson fleshes out the knowledge surrounding Daniel Coit Gilman by providing the first full-scale biography of Gilman in over 100 years. Given that no single individual is more responsible for what Johns Hopkins University became—and is now—than Gilman, this book contributes to an understanding of the forces that shaped our founding president and, through him, JHU. Historians of higher education should find this book fascinating, as would anyone interested in the early history of Johns Hopkins.

From the Publisher

The history of Johns Hopkins University is the history of the modern American research university. And, the architect of that modern university was Johns Hopkins President, Daniel Coit Gilman. Michael Benson has written a much-needed biography of Dr. Gilman, while at the same time providing a very insightful history into the growth and development of the American research university. This may be a biography about Gilman but, more importantly, it also represents a critical contribution to the history of higher education in twentieth century America.
—E. Gordon Gee, President, West Virginia University

In his latest book, Benson chronicles the life of a true pioneer in American Higher Education. In doing so, he tells the story of one of our country's great universities and shows how its emergence after the Civil War helped transform the educational landscape. Readers will appreciate the chance to learn about Daniel Coit Gilman's life and his leadership, and they will come away with new insights regarding research universities and how they can – and must – adapt to society's changing needs and interests.
—Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President of University of Maryland, Baltimore County

For those who might be curious about how our American Research Universities evolved to become the best in the world, the history of Daniel Coit Gilman's rise to the presidency of Johns Hopkins and his visionary leadership are key to setting the stage for the evolution of research and creative activities as integral parts of American higher education.
—Sally Mason, President Emerita (2007-2015), University of Iowa

Michael T. Benson has brought to life Daniel Coit Gilman and his extraordinary impact on American higher education and shows how, more so than at any other university, Johns Hopkins University's early graduates shaped the academy as it entered the 20th century. Benson's impressive biography is a welcome addition to our understanding of a most unique institution: the American research university.
—Mary Sue Coleman, President emerita, University of Michigan (2002-14, 2022) and Association of American Universities (2016-2020)

Freeman A. Hrabowski III

In his latest book, Benson chronicles the life of a true pioneer in American Higher Education. In doing so, he tells the story of one of our country's great universities and shows how its emergence after the Civil War helped transform the educational landscape. Readers will appreciate the chance to learn about Daniel Coit Gilman's life and his leadership, and they will come away with new insights regarding research universities and how they can – and must – adapt to society's changing needs and interests.