John Silber
John Robert Silber (August 15, 1926 – September 27, 2012) was an American academician and candidate for public office. From 1971 to 1996, he was President of Boston University (BU) and, from 1996 to 2002, Chancellor. From 2002 to 2003, he again served as President (Ad Interim); and, from 2003 until his death, he held the title of President Emeritus.
John Silber | |
|---|---|
Silber in 1977 | |
| Chancellor of Boston University | |
| In office 1996–2002 | |
| 7th President of Boston University | |
| In office 1971–1996 | |
| Preceded by | Calvin B. T. Lee (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Jon Westling |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Robert Silber August 15, 1926 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 2012 (aged 86) Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Spouse | Kathryn Underwood |
| Children | 8 |
| Education | Trinity University (BA) Yale University (PhD) |
In 1990, he won the Democratic gubernatorial primary to become one of two major-party candidates for governor of Massachusetts in the general election of 1990. He lost that election to the Republican William Weld, who won by 38,000 votes.
After receiving his PhD from Yale, Silber became professor of philosophy and served as dean of the University of Texas's College of Arts and Sciences (1967–70). He had a liberal reputation in his days at Texas, though at Boston University he was best known as a conservative spokesman in academia.