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