Wallace (James) Papers

James Wallace was born in 1850 near Wooster, Ohio. His early education was completed at Canaan Academy and later he attended Ohio Central College for two years. Wallace graduated from Wooster University in 1874 where he was valedictorian of his class and earned his doctorate in Philosophy. He further studied in Athens, Greece and returned to Wooster to teach in the Greek Department.

In 1887 Wallace was recruited to Macalester College. Here he taught Greek and Bible Studies where he quickly established himself as an influential scholar. He published Xenophon’s Anabasis, a well received translation accompanied by 40 pages of history, biography, and illustration. In 1890 Wallace became the dean of the college and in 1894 he was appointed president. As president he updated Macalester’s curriculum including languages, art, music, laboratory instruction in the sciences as well as a pre-medical program. In the next 12 years as president, he worked tirelessly to successfully fundraise and establish an endowment for the then struggling small college.

Wallace returned full time to teaching in 1906 where he continued to remain a dominant figure on campus. In 1923 the board of trustees honored him at commencement for his service to the college. Later in his career he often published his political views in Macalester publications as well as the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Before his 90th birthday he completed his book, Fundamentals of Christian Statesmanship. James Wallace died on August 24th, 1939, in St. Paul, Minnesota.