WILLIAM BEINHAUER SILBER's possession of a Ph.D. degree, a rarity then, even when honorary, his authorship of several popular textbooks, his somewhat austere presence, and his readiness in seeking the position at Albion apparently swept the man into office. Indeed, on paper "he came to the presidency with the best academic credentials of any holder of the position up to that time." Silber was a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, where he received his baccalaureate degree on August 7, 1850. As an honor student, he delivered the first 'Salutatory Address and Oration' in Latin. Three years later he received his Master of Arts degree from the same institution, although he was studying at the Union Theological Seminary of New York City at the same time. Upon finishing his course of study, he was appointed to a professorship in the College of New York, which granted him an honorary Ph.D. in 1868. It was from this metropolitan eastern college that Silber came to Albion.

Minutes of the Faculty from the time period of Silber's presidency at Albion show that he was conscientious in attendance at faculty meetings but that little of an extraordinary nature took place at the meetings. Occasional mention in later campus journals made mention of his delivering the Sunday afternoon lecture or preaching at a nearby church.

Then suddenly comes this announcement in the Annalist at the end of the 1871 spring term: "President Silber has our best wishes for his success wherever he may go in the future. We respect him as a gentleman and a Christian." There is nothing in the Board of Trustees minutes to indicate that they were attempting to oust him either. On June 14th a motion was made to place the names of several candidates before the Board for the position of President of Albion College. Ballots were drawn a total of seven times; names included in the ballot were Dr. Silber, Dr. Jocelyn, and L.R. Fisk. Silber tied with Dr. Jocelyn for the first three ballots and retained at least one vote through the sixth round. Eventually the election of Dr. Jocelyn was made unanimous.

Silber's dismissal from Albion College was by no means the end of his academic career. Following a year as a principal at the Washington High School, he became a lecturer on "Medical Jurisprudence" at the Detroit Homeopathic College. This was a brief appointment, for in 1873 he took his wife Jane and their four children back to New York City, where he served as a grammar school principal until 1904. He died of unknown causes on May 5, 1906.

Excerpts from "The College on Trial," The Albion College Sesquicentennial History, 1835-1985, by Keith J. Fennimore. Albion, MI: Albion College, 1985.

Links to More Documents about William Beinhauer Silber

• "Apologiae for J.L.G. McKown and William B. Silber," by Dr. Charles Held, 1970. [transcription]