Awards

National Academies - 1925

American Association for the Advancement of Science

About Kenneth Williams

Kenneth Williams attended Clark College from 1905 to 1906 before enrolling at Indiana University where he received his A.B. degree in1908 and his A.M. degree in 1909. He then began teaching mathematics at IU, and was granted a leave in 1911, to attend Princeton University where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1913. In 1914 he returned to IU and resumed his teaching career in the Department of Mathematics. Williams served as chair in that department from 1938-1944. Williams made significant contributions in mathematics, astronomy, and history. One of his most notable works is the five-volume book “Lincoln Finds a General”, published in 1949 to 1957.

In addition to his career in academia, Williams also had a successful military career. He first served as a First Lieutenant with the Indiana National Guard in 1916 during the Mexican Border Expedition. In 1917, Indiana University established a military training program in Bloomington called the Student Army Training Corps with Williams in command. He also served in the Rainbow Division during World War I as a U.S. Army Captain of Field Artillery. From 1931 to 1939, he was a Colonel and Chief of Staff of the 38th division of the Indiana National Guard before commanding the 113th Quartermaster Regiment, becoming Quartermaster of the 38th division in national service.