David French Boyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David French Boyd
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| President of Auburn University | |
| In office 1883–1884 |
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| Preceded by | William Leroy Broun |
| Succeeded by | William Leroy Broun |
| President of the Louisiana State University | |
| In office 1877–1880 |
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| Preceded by | First LSU president |
| In office 1884–1886 |
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| Succeeded by | Thomas Duckett Boyd (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 5, 1834 Wytheville, Wythe County Virginia, USA |
| Died | May 27, 1899 (aged 64) Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Magnolia Cemetery in Baton Rouge |
| Relations | Thomas Duckett Boyd (brother) |
| Parents | Thomas J. and Minerva A. French Boyd |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 9th Louisiana Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
David French Boyd (born October 5, 1834 – died May 27, 1899) was an American teacher and school leader. He is best known for being the first president of Louisiana State University (LSU). At LSU, he also taught mathematics and moral philosophy. For a short time, he was also the president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, which is now known as Auburn University.
Life and Early Education
David French Boyd was born in Wytheville, Virginia. He was the oldest son of Thomas J. Boyd, a successful lawyer who also helped build railroads. David studied at the University of Virginia but did not finish his degree there.
In 1860, he moved to Louisiana. He joined the teaching staff at the new Louisiana State Seminary of Learning in Pineville. Here, he became good friends with the school's leader, William Tecumseh Sherman. Before the American Civil War began, Sherman warned Boyd, who supported the South leaving the Union, that the South could not win a war against the North.
Service in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Boyd fought for the Confederate army. He first served in the 9th Louisiana Infantry. This group was part of the famous Louisiana Tigers in the Army of Northern Virginia.
Later, he moved to the Western Theater of the war. There, he became a major in engineering. He was captured by a group called Jayhawker militia. They sold him to the Union Army. However, he was later set free and returned to the South after his friend, William Tecumseh Sherman, helped him.
Leading Universities
After the war ended in 1865, Boyd returned to the Seminary as its leader. He then helped write the plan that changed the school into Louisiana State University (LSU). This new university was located in Baton Rouge. It was created under the rules of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, which helped set up colleges focused on agriculture and mechanical arts.
Boyd was removed from his position as president of LSU in 1880 because of disagreements with the teachers. However, he was brought back as president of LSU in 1884. During the time he was away from LSU, he served for one year as the president of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.
Later Life
David French Boyd passed away in 1899. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
