Frank Loxley Griffin papers

Frank Loxley Griffin was born in Topeka, KS in 1881. He attended the University of Chicago, receiving his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. Magna Cum Laude. He was awarded special honors for his work in mathematics and astronomy. He married Mary Chambers of Portland, with whom he had four children.

He was the first faculty member selected to teach at Reed College, chosen by the first president, William Trufant Foster. Dr. Griffin had previously taught at Williams College. He taught at Reed College for 41 years from 1911 to 1952, returning from retirement in 1954 to become the 8th President. After his second retirement he was visiting professor at a number of American colleges and universities.

In 1921, Griffin’s first book, “Introduction to Mathematical Analysis”, was acclaimed by “Scientific American”. This textbook was widely used in the United States and became the first American textbook adopted by a European university. He wrote six additional books and many articles on mathematics and education.

In 1938 Dr. Griffin was honored by the General Education Board of the Rockefeller Foundation, which sent four outstanding young mathematicians to work under him and learn his teaching principles.

He died in Portland, Oregon on November 9, 1969.