Administrative Policy Records of the University of Florida Office of the President (Albert Alexander Murphree)

Albert Alexander Murphree was born on 29 April 1870 in the village of Walnut Grove, Alabama. He spent his childhood years there and attended the local academy. He enrolled in the University of Nashville where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1894.

Murphree's professional career before coming to Florida was lim­ited to teaching mathematics, a favorite subject of his, at high schools and small colleges across the South. In 1895, he re­ceived an appointment as instructor of mathematics at the West Florida Seminary in Tallahassee. Two years later, he assumed the presidency of that institution. The same year, he married Jennie Henderson, daughter of a seminary trustee. Seeing the need for college level education in western Florida, Murphree expanded and upgraded the seminary’s curriculum. In 1901, the seminary became the Florida State College. Murphree gave his duties as president a personal touch by participating as coach in such activities as drama, football, and basketball.

When the Florida legislature created a new state university in 1905, Murphree was the Board of Education’s favorite for the post of president. The Board of Control and Governor Broward, however, preferred Andrew Sledd, president of the University of Florida at Lake City, who received the appointment as the University of Florida’s first president. Murphree stayed in Tallahassee and served as the first president of the Florida State College for Women. When political pressure forced Sledd's resignation in 1909, Murphree was cho­sen to be his successor.

Upon his arrival in Gainesville, Murphree immediately reorganized the University into four aca­demic col­leges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Law, the College of Agriculture, and the College of Engineering. The Graduate School was also created in that year. A Teachers' College and Normal School were established in 1912, a School of Pharmacy in 1924, a School of Architecture in 1925, and the College of Commerce and Journalism in 1927. During his term some forty-six buildings were erected, including ten major structures.

Murphree encouraged faculty participation in the running of the University by forming a number of standing committees to oversee curriculum, student affairs, and public relations. He stressed the importance of faculty involvement in professional and civic organi­zations and set an ex­ample by serving on the Florida State Teacher's Association, the National Education Association, the National Association of State Universities (vice-president, 1921), and the Florida State Educational Association (president, 1906). A Baptist, he led several denominational brotherhoods.

Murphree died in his sleep on December 20, 1927. Vice President James Farr served as acting president until the arrival of John J. Tigert in September, 1928.