Herman Knapp, B.S. in Scientific Agriculture, 1883; deputy treasurer, 1883; secretary to the president of Agriculture, 1886; college farm superintendent, 1890-91; purchasing agent and business manager, 1903-1933; Acting President, Iowa State College, 1926-1927

Artist / Maker Robert Wadsworth Grafton (American, 1876 - 1936)

Date1935

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions44 1/2 x 41 in. (113 x 104.1 cm)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineCommissioned by the Alumni Association for Iowa State College. In the Presidential Portrait Collection, Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU88.13

Status

On view

Collections

Label TextHerman Knapp (1863-1935) was born in Vermont in 1863 to Seaman and Maria Knapp. In 1867 his family moved to Vinton, Iowa, where his father became head of the Iowa College for the Blind. Seaman Knapp was appointed to head the agriculture program at Iowa State Agricultural College in 1879, and later became the college’s second president. In 1880, Herman Knapp entered Iowa State College as a freshman. On September 23, 1883, he began the first in a series of jobs at Iowa State when he was appointed deputy treasurer. In November of that same year he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in scientific agriculture. A year later, Knapp became secretary to the president and agriculture assistant. In 1885, he was appointed assistant professor of agriculture. During 1886, he was placed in charge of the department of agriculture. 1887 was the year Herman Knapp was appointed as treasurer, registrar and superintendent of the college bookstore, in addition to his duty as the director of agriculture. In 1898, Knapp was placed in command of the college cadet corps and became a captain and a major in the Iowa National Guard. In 1903 he was appointed purchasing agent and business manager, dropping his duties as registrar. Knapp was acting president of Iowa State College in 1926-1927. Fast fact: Iowa State College celebrated Herman Knapp Day November 19, 1933, in honor of his 50 years of service to the college. He died in 1935 at the age of 71.

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