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Helen Metcalf Danforth (1887–1984; née Helen Pierce Metcalf) was an American university president. From 1931 to 1947, she served as the President of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

Early life

Helen Metcalf Danforth was born September 3, 1887, in Providence, Rhode Island, to parents Esther (née Pierce) and Stephen Olney Metcalf. Her paternal grandmother was Helen Rowe Metcalf, the founder of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD); her paternal aunt was Eliza G. Radeke, a former RISD president; and her paternal uncle was Jesse H. Metcalf, a United States Senator. Her father Stephen had worked as a treasurer at RISD.

She attended St. Timothy's School in Maryland. In 1916 she married Dr. Murray Snell Danforth, an orthopedic surgeon, together they had three children.

Career

In 1931, Danforth was elected as the 8th President of Rhode Island School of Design, succeeding her aunt, Eliza G. Radeke. During her time as President, Danforth introduced the degree program (1932), and turned it into an accredited college program (1949). During her tenure the campus enlarged which included the addition of the Metcalf Building on College Street (1936), the Auditorium (1941), and the Metcalf Refectory, and the Waterman Street dormitories (1959). In 1947, she stepped down as President and became Chair of the Board of Trustees until her retirement in 1965.

Additionally, she was a collector of fine arts and a philanthropist.

Helen Metcalf Danforth died on October 18, 1984 in Providence. Her burial was in Swan Point Cemetery.

Danforth was elected to the Rhode Island Women's Heritage Hall of Fame in 1998.

See also

• List of presidents of the Rhode Island School of Design

References

1. Presidents and Deans of American Colleges and Universities, volume 4. 1958. p. 72.
2. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. 37–52. New England Historic Genealogical Society. 1951. p. 148.
3. "Stephen Metcalf, Businessman, Dies". Newspapers.com. Newport Daily News. September 28, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
4. Jordy, William H.; Onorato, Ronald J.; Woodward, William McKenzie (2004). Buildings of Rhode Island. Oxford University Press. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-19-506147-5.
5. "Marriage of Hazards". The Washington Post. 1915-11-16. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-03-06 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Hopkins, Lorraine (February 15, 2015). "Turbulent times at RISD, an embattled leader and a tantalizing footnote". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
7. "Society". Newspapers.com. The Baltimore Sun. December 8, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
8. ^ "Danforth, Helen M., 1887–1984". Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC). Retrieved 2022-03-05.
9. "Former Bangor Man Became Distinguished". Newspapers.com. The Bangor Daily News. June 14, 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
10. Ormond, Richard; Kilmurray, Elaine (1998). John Singer Sargent: Complete Paintings. Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-300-14140-5.
11. Monet, Claude; Baillio, Joseph (2007). Claude Monet (1840-1926): A Tribute to Daniel Wildenstein and Katia Granoff. Wildenstein. p. 296. ISBN 978-0-9657856-4-8.
12. "Danforth". Rhode Island Historic Cemeteries. RI Historic Cemetery Commission. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
13. "Helen Metcalf Danforth". Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2022-03-05.

External links

• Guide to the Helen M. Danforth records, 1926-1967

• 1887 births
• 1984 deaths
• Educators from Providence, Rhode Island
• Rhode Island School of Design faculty
• Burials at Swan Point Cemetery
• Women heads of universities and colleges