Charles Eliot

Charles W. Eliot (1834-1926) was an American educator and a key figure in the development of modern higher education. As president of Harvard University from 1869 to 1909, he introduced significant reforms, including the elective system, which allowed students greater freedom to choose their courses. Eliot also championed the idea of education for all and emphasized the importance of liberal arts. He believed that education should promote critical thinking and civic responsibility. His influential work laid the groundwork for transformed educational practices, shaping many aspects of the American university system as we know it today.