University Presidents >> Edwin F. Ladd

RG 3.4 – Edwin F. Ladd (President, 1916-1921)

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Edwin F. Ladd family papers (Mss 90)

Portrait of Edwin F. Ladd

Edwin Freemont Ladd was born at Starks, Maine on December 13, 1859, the son of John and Rosilla (Locke) Ladd. He graduated from Somerset Academy, Athens Maine, and the University of Maine in 1884 where he studied chemistry.  In 1890 Professor Ladd was asked by H.E. Stockbridge, President of the newly established North Dakota Agricultural College and Experiment Station in Fargo to become Professor of Chemistry at the college and chemist of the Agricultural Experiment Station. During his tenure at the Agricultural College, Professor Ladd served as chemist, Dean of the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, and became president of the institution in 1916 where he served until being elected to the United States Senate in 1921 with the support of the Nonpartisan League.

Professor Ladd became most noted for his work in the area of food adulteration and the pure food laws. In 1902 he was appointed State Food Commissioner which he held until 1921. Through his efforts the North Dakota legislature passed several bills aimed at eliminating adulteration in various products which gained Professor Ladd a state and national reputation.

Edwin F. Ladd marching through open ranks, 1920

Unexpectedly on June 22, 1925 he died at Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. Ladd continued to living in the East, dying August 1, 1958. They were buried at Glenwood, Maryland, cemetery.

In 1952, the Chemistry Building was named Ladd Hall in honor of President E. F. Ladd.

The records consist of a biographical file, reports and schedules (1917, 1919, 1920), duties of college administrators (c.1916-1920), reorganization of the Animal Husbandry department (c.1918), and a request for a bibliography of research (1919).

Edwin F. Ladd – biographical information

Information/duties on the President, Advisory Board, College Council and General Faculty – c.1916-1920.

Annual Report of the North Dakota Agricultural College to the Division of Higher Education, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Education, Washington – September 6, 1917

Fiscal Schedule – North Dakota Agricultural College to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Education, Washington – 1917

To President Ladd – Committee on the reorganization of the Animal Husbandry Department – c.1918

Statistical and Fiscal Schedules – North Dakota Agricultural College to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Education, Washington – June 1919

Items on report of President for year ending June 30, 1919

Items on report of President for year ending June 30, 1920

Letter from President to unknown recipient requesting “a bibliography of all productive lines of research and studies carried on by member of college and station staffs during the past two years.” – December 2, 1919