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Biography

The Educator

Arnold Tompkins (1849-1905) was ISNU's fifth president. Born in Edgar County, Illinois, to a farming family, Tompkins attended the University of Indiana and graduated with honors. Tompkins taught secondary school English and served as a school superintendent before teaching literature at Indiana State Normal School and pedagogy (method and practice of teaching) at DePauw University. Tompkins then moved back to Illinois where he taught pedagogy at the University of Illinois. Tompkins was also a well-known lecturer among educators, discussing philosophical teaching principles with his audiences.

The President

In 1899, Tompkins was chosen to be ISNU’s fifth president. However, Tompkins only served ten months before resigning the presidency in June 1900 to take the position of president at the Chicago Normal School (now Chicago State University). Tompkins’s time at Chicago Normal was incredibly tumultuous. Though he did implement several continuing education programs aimed at helping immigrants and working teachers, faculty constantly criticized his administration of the school. At the request of his doctor, Tompkins took a vacation to escape the stress of his presidency. However, Tompkins died on August 14, 1905 while in Menlo, Georgia with his family. Arnold Tompkins was buried at Alpine Community Church Cemetery in Menlo, Georgia.

Continued Research

  • Arnold Tompkins Presidential Papers Finding Aid

    See Finding Aid

  • “Arnold Tompkins” in Development of the Teachers College in the United States, with special reference to the Illinois State Normal University by Charles A. Harper

    Teaching development book