William H. Danforth Milestones
1926
Born April 10, 1926, in St. Louis, to Donald and Dorothy Danforth. Grandson of William H. Danforth, founder of Ralston Purina Co.
1944
Graduated from St. Louis Country Day School
1944-45
Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; assigned to Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
1947
Graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in biology after transferring from Westminster College
1950
Married Elizabeth Anne (Ibby) Gray
1951
Graduated with a medical degree from Harvard Medical School
1952
Completed an internship in medicine at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis
1952-54
Served as a Navy physician during the Korean War
1957
Completed residencies in medicine and pediatrics at Barnes and St. Louis Children’s hospitals
Joined the Washington University School of Medicine faculty as a fellow in cardiology and instructor in medicine. Worked in the laboratory of Nobel Prize winner Carl Cori, who shared the award with his wife, Gerty.
1960
Named assistant professor of medicine
1965-71
Served as vice chancellor for medical affairs at the School of Medicine and as president of the Washington University Medical Center
1965
Named associate professor of medicine
1967
Named full professor of internal medicine, a position he retained
1971
Named 13th chancellor of Washington University at age 44, succeeding Thomas H. Eliot
1977
Received the Alexander Meiklejohn Award from the American Association of University Professors for his support of academic freedom
Named “Man of the Year” by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
1982
Elected fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences and American Association for the Advancement of Science
1995
Retired June 30 as one of the longest serving chancellors in the country. Succeeded by Mark S. Wrighton, 14th chancellor
Danforth Scholars program was established in his honor
1995-99
Served as chairman of the Washington University Board of Trustees
1998
Founded the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, with a mission to “improve the human condition through plant science”
1999
Received honorary doctor of philosophy degree from Washington University
Named Washington University chancellor emeritus, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and life trustee
2006
Washington University’s main “Hilltop” Campus was named the Danforth Campus in recognition of his and his family’s contributions to the university
2009
William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth University Center dedicated
2013
Received The St. Louis Award
2016
Dedication of the William H. Danforth Wing, a 79,000-square-foot addition to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
2020
Died at age 94