James Burrill Angell (January 7, 1829 near Scituate, Rhode Island – April 1, 1916, Ann Arbor, Michigan) was an American educator, academic administrator, and diplomat. He is best known for being the longest-serving president of the University of Michigan (1871-1909). Under his leadership Michigan gained prominence as an elite public university. Today, he is often cited by Michigan administrators for providing the vision of Michigan as a university that should provide "an uncommon education for the common man." Angell Hall bears his name.

Angell was a graduate from and professor of languages at Brown University, editor of the Providence Journal (1860-1866), president of the University of Vermont (1866-1871). He served as U.S. Minister to China (1880-1881) and to Turkey (1897-1898). Several of his descendants also became well-known educators and academics

In 1902, he inspired the creation of the Michigamua secret society; in 2007, that organization renamed itself the Order of Angell.

Angell is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Sources

Forest Hill Cemetery, Political Graveyard

James Burrill Angell, US Department of State Office of the Historian