Harry Ransom (academic administrator)

Harry Huntt Ransom, Jr. (November 22, 1908 – April 19, 1976) was an American academic administrator and English professor, most notably serving as the Chancellor of the University of Texas System from 1961 to 1971. He also served as president of the University of Texas at Austin from 1954 to 1960.

Ransom is largely credited with transforming the University of Texas at Austin into a world-class research institution by significantly expanding its library holdings, most notably acquiring the Gutenberg Bible in 1961, and establishing several research centers. He was a strong advocate for the humanities and the fine arts within the university system.

Before his administrative roles, Ransom was a professor of English at Vanderbilt University and later at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from Vanderbilt University.

Following his tenure as Chancellor, Ransom stepped down in 1971 and became a professor once again at the University of Texas at Austin until his death in 1976. The Harry Ransom Center, a humanities research library and museum at the University of Texas at Austin, is named in his honor. The center houses a vast collection of literary and cultural artifacts, including manuscripts, books, photographs, film, and art.