John Bascom

• Name — John Bascom • Born — 1 May 1827 • Birthplace — Genoa, New York, U.S.A. • Died — 27 October 1911 • Place of death — Williamstown, Massachusetts, U.S. • Occupation — President, University of Wisconsin, 1874 to 1887

He was born on May 1, 1827, in Genoa, New York, and was a graduate of Williams College with the class of 1849. He graduated from the Andover Theological Seminary in 1855. Aside from the degrees he received in those places, he held many other scholarly and honorary degrees. He was professor of rhetoric at Williams College from 1855 to 1874, and was president of the University of Wisconsin from 1874 to 1887. He retired in 1903 and died in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on October 2, 1911. Authoring between 30 and 40 books over his lifetime, Bascom later claimed that their writing cost him more than they earned in sales revenue. However, his biography expressed pride at their impact on others. He influenced future Progressive Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Senator Robert M. La Follette Sr. during the latter's studies in his youth at the University of Wisconsin. In 1853, Bascom married Abbie Burt, who died shortly thereafter. He then wed Emma Curtiss, to whom he was married for over fifty years. Their three children, Jean, George and Florence, all graduated from the University of Wisconsin.

• Earl W. Bascom, cowboy artist/sculptor, rodeo pioneer, "Father of Modern Rodeo" • Florence Bascom, America's first female geologist • George Nicholas Bascom, army officer of Apache Wars • Henry Bidleman Bascom, Congressional Chaplain 1824–26 • John U. Bascom, American surgeon • Willard Bascom, oceanographer • Bryant Butler Brooks, cowboy, rancher and Governor of Wyoming 1905–1911 • Frederic S. Remington, western artist and sculptor, "Father of Cowboy Sculpture" • Jedediah S. Smith, American explorer, mountain man • Franchot Tone, American actor • Wolfe Tone, "Father of Irish Republicanism" • S. Dilworth Young, American religious leader