Samuel Avery

Samuel Avery ( 1865-1936) served as Chancellor of the University from 1908-1927. During his tenure as Chancellor, the University experienced tremendous growth in both enrollment and physical size. After the eventual resolution of the campus relocation question in 1914, the campus expanded beyond 12th street to 14th, as well as to the north. With a special building levy approved by the legislature in 1913, Avery was able to hire Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, a prestigious Boston architecture firm, to become official University architects. The firm developed campus plans and designed several important buildings on both campuses, including Avery Laboratory.

In 1927 Chancellor Avery retired due to poor health and waning support. Having served as Chair of the Chemistry Department before he became Chancellor, he resumed his research in the new Chemisry Building until his death in 1936. The building was renamed Avery Laboratory in 1948 in honor of the former Chancellor and Chemist.