William Henry Allen, LL. D., an American scholar and educator, born in Readfield (now Manchester), Kennebec county, Me., March 27, 1808. After preparatory study in the Maine conference seminary, he entered Bowdoin college, where he graduated in 1833. From 1833 to 1836 he was teacher of Latin and Greek in Cazenovia seminary, N. Y.; in 1836 principal of a high school at Augusta, Me., where he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; from 1836 to 1846 professor of natural philosophy and chemistry in Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pa.; from 1846 to 1849 professor of philosophy and English literature in the same institution, and in 1847-'8 its acting president; from 1849 to 1862 president of Girard college, Philadelphia, and for one year president of the agricultural college of Pennsylvania. In 1867 he was recalled to the presidency of Girard college, which position he now (1873) occupies. In March, 1872, he was chosen president of the American Bible society. President Allen has contributed to the reviews and magazines many articles on philosophical, literary, and educational questions. He is also the author of numerous addresses and several valuable reports on education.

In 1846 he received the honorary degree of M. D. from the Philadelphia college of medicine; and in 1850 the degree of LL. 1). from both Union college, New York, and Emory and Henry college, Virginia.