Hutchins, Robert Maynard (1899-1977), an American educator, became well known for his unconventional theories about higher education. In 1929, he was appointed president of the University of Chicago. He became chancellor in 1945. At Chicago, he promoted intellectual rather than narrow moral considerations as the primary aim of higher education. He reduced the emphasis on athletics. He served as associate director of the Ford Foundation from 1951 to 1954. Hutchins served as president of the Fund for the Republic from 1954 to 1969 and as chairman from 1969 to 1974.
Hutchins was born on Jan. 17, 1899, in the Brooklyn section of New York City. He graduated from Yale University. In 1928, he became dean of the Yale Law School. He died on May 14, 1977.
