Biography:

University professor, college president. Born– October 1, 1827, Middleburg (Loudoun County), Va. Parents– Edwin Conway and Elizabeth (Channel) Broun. Married– Sallie J. Fleming, November 1, 1859. Children– Seven. Education– University of Virginia, A. M.,  1850; postgraduate course in mathematics and German at UVA, 1852.  Taught at Oakland College in Mississippi, 1852-1854; University of Georgia, 1854-1856. stablished and served as president of Bloomfield Academy in Virginia, 1857-61.  Served in the  Confederate Army as commandant of the Richmond Arsenal, 1863-65; attained rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war he taught at the University of Georgia, Georgia Agricultural and Mechanical College (1865-75), Vanderbilt University (1875-1882), University of Texas (1883-84), and served twice as president of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1882-1883 and 1884-1902. Led in focusing the curriculum on agriculture and mechanical arts; increased state support for the school. Considered one of Auburn’s most important leaders.  Awarded honorary degrees by St. Johns College, Maryland (1874) and the University of Georgia (1892). Died January 24, 1902.

Source:

Who Was Who in America, Vol. 1; National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. 19; Dr. William Le Roy Broun.

Publication(s):

Dr. William Le Roy Broun. New York; Neale Publishing Co., 1912.

The Richmond Arsenal. Baltimore, 1869. (extracted from the New Edition Magazine, v.4, April 1867.)

Papers;

Papers of President William Leroy Broun are held in the special collections department of the Ralph Brown Draughon Library at Auburn University.