Alfred Atkinson (university president)
| Alfred B. Atkinson | |
|---|---|
| 4th President of Montana State University | |
|
In office 1919–1937 |
|
| Preceded by | James M. Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | A. L. Strand |
| 12th President of University of Arizona | |
|
In office 1937–1947 |
|
| Preceded by | Paul Steere Burgess |
| Succeeded by | James Byron McCormick |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 6, 1879 Seaforth, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | May 16, 1958 (aged 78) Tucson, Arizona, United States |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Miller Atkinson |
| Alma mater |
Iowa State University Cornell University |
| Profession | Professor of Agronomy |
| Salary | $10,000 (Univ. of Arizona) |
Alfred B. Atkinson (October 6, 1879 – May 16, 1958) was a Canadian American agronomist who served as the President of Montana State University from 1919 to 1937 and the University of Arizona from 1937 to 1947. He made a number of advances in farming methods, and developed the "Montana 36" wheat cultivar.
Alfred Atkinson was born on a farm near Seaforth, Ontario, in Canada on October 6, 1879. His parents were Joseph and Isabella A. (Burns) Atkinson, His paternal grandparents were James and Sarah (Cotton) Atkinson, who emigrated to Canada from Bradford, County of York (W.R.), United Kingdom.
He attended Ontario Agricultural College from 1899 to 1902, but left without earning a degree. He then enrolled at Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy in 1904. He obtained a position as an assistant agronomist at Iowa State's agricultural experiment station in 1902, and served there until 1904.
Atkinson was named an associate professor of agronomy at Montana State College (MSC) in 1904, and served there until 1906. He also served during this time as an agronomist with the MSC agricultural experiment station. He was promoted to professor of agronomy in 1906. During his time as an academic, he published numerous papers on dryland farming, nitrate formation, soil moisture control, soil science, and agricultural practice. He developed several new farming methods, and developed a new cultivar of wheat named "Montana 36".
Atkinson became a naturalized American citizen in 1911, and obtained a master of science degree from Cornell University in 1912.
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