Henry Burchard Fine (1858-1928) served as Princeton’s third dean of the faculty from 1903 to 1912. Fine played a significant role in transforming Princeton from a college into a university, and he shaped Princeton into a leading center for mathematics while fostering the growth of creative work in other branches of science.

Fine, an 1880 Princeton graduate, was a standout scholar and respected member of the University community. He played flute in the college orchestra, rowed on the crew team and served for three years as an editor of the Princetonian. Upon graduation, he was named Latin Salutatorian, receiving this distinction because of his top rank in the class.

After obtaining his doctorate in Germany, Fine returned to Princeton in 1885 as an assistant professor in mathematics. He was promoted to full professor in 1889, appointed the Dod Professor of Mathematics in 1898, and, concurrent with his dean of the faculty appointment, named chair of the mathematics department when departments were first organized at the University in 1904.

In 1903, University President Woodrow Wilson appointed Fine as dean of the faculty. Wilson and Fine worked closely to improve the curriculum and strengthen the faculty. After Wilson resigned in 1910 to run for and ultimately become the 34th governor of New Jersey, Fine carried the chief responsibility for the University administration for two years until the trustees elected John Grier Hibben as Wilson’s successor. When Hibben became president in 1912, Fine resigned as dean of the faculty but continued as dean of the Departments of Science.

Fine was a founder of the American Mathematical Society and served as its president in 1911 and 1912. In the words of Princeton mathematics professor Oswald Veblen, Fine “carried American mathematics forward from a state of approximate nullity to one verging on parity with the European nations.”

Fine brought about a significant advancement in the sciences at Princeton in the latter years of his career. Primarily because of the confidence he inspired, the General Education Board offered Princeton a grant of $1 million for research in pure science on the condition that the University raise $2 million for the same purpose.

The fundraising was finalized in 1928, prior to his death, leading to the establishment of the Henry B. Fine Professorship of Mathematics. As a further memorial, Fine’s close friend Thomas D. Jones, Class of 1876, and his niece donated a building for mathematics named Fine Hall, which was built in 1930.

Fine’s Princeton legacy lives on through the professorship that continues in his name and a newer Fine Hall, dedicated in 1970, that houses the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics.

Written by Shane B. Black for the Office of the Dean of the Faculty.