Charles King

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Charles King
See also Wikipedia's article about "Charles King (academic)".

Charles King was the ninth president of the college, serving from 1849 to 1863. His father, Rufus King, was one of the framers and signers of the U.S. Constitution. Charles himself had been a newspaper publisher prior to his ascension to the presidency.

King was a believer in "copy[ing] the virtues of the English university system," a policy he espoused in his inaugural address. Some of his more notable acts included moving his entire family into College Hall (which may explain why Columbia upped and moved to the Midtown campus during his tenure) and having Columbia College hire his daughter and pay her a princely salary.

King was also "fond of outdoor exercise and sports, attempted to interest the students in them, and met with but little encouragement". But he was more successful persuading the trustees to appoint a "teacher of boxing and fencing".[1]

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Preceded by
Nathaniel Fish Moore
President of Columbia University 
1849-1863
Succeeded by
Frederick A. P. Barnard