David Kinley (June 30 1874 – September 28 1955) was an American economist and academic administrator. He served as the sixth president of the University of Illinois from 1930 to 1935 and contributed to the development of economics education in the United States.
Early Life and Education
- Born: June 30 1874 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
- Education: Earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois (1895) and a Ph.D. in political economy from the University of Chicago (1910).
Academic Career
- University of Illinois: Joined the faculty as an instructor in economics in 1900, later becoming a full professor.
- Administrative Roles: Served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1929–1930) before being appointed university president.
- Presidency (1930–1935): Oversaw expansion of the university’s research programs during the early years of the Great Depression, advocated for increased state support for higher education, and promoted curricular reforms.
Scholarly Contributions
- Authored several textbooks and articles in economics, including the widely used “Principles of Economics” (1915).
- Focused research on labor economics, public finance, and the economic implications of industrial organization.
Later Career and Legacy
- After stepping down as president, Kinley returned to teaching and continued research until his retirement in 1944.
- Recognized for strengthening the university’s academic reputation and for his contributions to economic scholarship.
Honors
- Elected member of the American Economic Association.
- Received honorary degrees from several institutions for his service to education and economics.
David Kinley’s tenure as university president and his economic writings left a lasting impact on both the University of Illinois and the broader field of economics.
