This week in history (99 years ago)
James Burrill Angell’s rare personality influenced the life of the university and of Ann Arbor for more than 40 years and won him the profound respect and devotion of students, faculty, regents and the people of the state and country. He tried to resign at age 76, but the regents unanimously declined to accept his resignation, declaring that there was no one who could take his place at the head of the university or in the hearts of the people. He died on April 2, 1916, in the president’s house, his home for 45 years. He was 80. On the day of his funeral, thousands of students gathered on both sides of the streets where the procession was to pass, forming an unbroken row from his home to Forest Hills Cemetery.
— From The University of Michigan, an Encyclopedic Survey
