Henry Durant

Henry Durant was a 19th-century American educator and minister, best known as a founder of the University of California, Berkeley. Born in 1824, he served as a minister and educator before helping establish the university in 1868, emphasizing accessible higher education. His vision focused on combining practical knowledge with moral and intellectual development. Durant also contributed to educational reform and served as the university's first president, shaping its early direction. His work laid the groundwork for California’s prominent institution of higher learning, promoting the idea that education should serve broader societal needs.