Dr. Edgar Odell Lovett portrait with hat and cane

Abstract

Dr. Edgar Odell Lovett was the first president (1907-1946) of the Rice Institute, which later became known as Rice University. In 1907 he was asked to head Rice Institute, Houston, being recommended for the post by Woodrow Wilson, then president of Princeton. He accepted in 1908, moved to Houston, and was formally inaugurated as the first president of the institute on Oct. 12, 1912; he continued in this capacity until his retirement on March 1, 1946. Thereafter, he was associated with Rice as president emeritus, director and consultant.