The Hall of Fame for Great Americans
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theologians, scientists, engineers, physicians, inventors, explorers, military,
judges, artists, businessmen, humanitarian-reformers, and “others.” Third,
electors who made the final selections were chosen with the goal of having at
least one representative from each of the 45 states then in the union
(MacCracken, 1901, pp. 563-565).
Electors were to be drawn by the university senators from four classes of
citizens in as equal numbers as possible. These were university presidents,
professors of history and scientists, authors and editors, and judges of state and
national supreme courts. (When the senators could not determine a name from a
state, the chief justice of the state’s supreme court was invited to join the
electors. At the end of the process there were 100 electors from 42 states. The
electors were asked to serve for two elections.) They were to choose only
persons who were native bom and who had been deceased for at least 10 years.
Fourth, elections were to be held periodically—each five years. Fifth, the entire
operation was to be governed by the senate of New York University. The senate
had been created in 1894. It consisted of 19 members. Its president was the
university chancellor. He was joined by six deans and six senior faculty
members from each of the colleges of the university, as well as six presidents or
deans of theological colleges in the New York City area (MacCracken, 1900, pp.
11-38; Johnson, 1937, pp. 4 1 ^ 8 ; Banks, 1902, pp. 15-17).
Elections began in 1900. The general population submitted names to the
senate. These were reviewed, and 234 names were presented to 100 electors,
who each were asked to cast 50 votes. Those selected had to win a majority of
votes. They had to be native bom and deceased for at least 10 years. The result
found 29 elected. George Washington was elected unanimously along with
Jefferson, Lincoln, Franklin, Fulton, Audubon, Emerson, Asa Gray, James Kent,
and George Peabody. Protests ensued that no woman was elected. These were
abated somewhat as five women won election in the 1905 and 1910 elections.
There were protests that foreign bom Americans were excluded. In 1915 the
Senate revised mles and permitted their consideration. Over time 11 women
were elected including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Susan B. Anthony, Mary Lyon,
Jane Addams, Lillian Wald and Clara Barton. Foreign bom entries include
Alexander Hamilton, Louis Agassiz, Roger Williams, Simon Newcomb,
Thomas Paine, and Andrew Carnegie (Johnson, 1935, p. 34; Grundfest, 1977,
pp. 192-208).
In 1925 it was required that members be deceased for 25 years. That
requirement held, with one exception. Wilbur Wright was allowed early
election, so that there could be a ceremony installing him with his brother
Orville. From 1925 through 1940, election required a three-fifths majority of
votes (Gmndfest, 1977, p. 192). In 1940 only Stephen Foster was elected. This
caused concern, as it was felt more names were needed so there could be more
installations—and more public attention for the Hall. Then in 1945, as the