Kelsey, Francis W. (Francis Willey), 1858-1927

Professor of classics and archeologist at University of Michigan.

From the description of Francis Willey Kelsey papers, 1894-1928. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421754

From the description of Francis Willey Kelsey papers, 1894-1928. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 83851247

Epithet: Professor at Michigan University

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000509.0x000320

Epithet: Professor of Latin at Michigan

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000509.0x000321

Epithet: archaeologist

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001240.0x000096

Francis Willey Kelsey was born at Ogden, New York on May 23, 1858, and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1880. From that same institution, he also received his Ph.D. in 1886 and LL.D. in 1910. He began teaching Latin at Lake Forest University in 1880 and continued there until 1889 when he came to the University of Michigan. In 1890, upon the death of Henry S. Frieze, Kelsey was made head of the Latin Department and here he gained renown as a teacher, a translator of classical texts, and an advocate of classical studies.

Kelsey's reputation as a scholar was international. In 1900-1901, he was given a leave of absence to serve as director of the American School of Classical Studies in Rome. Later in 1920, Kelsey organized and secured funds for the first Near East Expedition of the University of Michigan, which he directed for the next two years. As a result, a wealth of photographs, archaeological material, especially manuscripts and papyri, were brought to the University Library. In 1924, he arranged a second expedition which resulted in successful excavations at ancient Antioch, Carthage, and Karanis in the Fayoum of Egypt.

Kelsey was active in the University Musical Society serving as its president from 1889 until his death in 1927. From 1907 to 1912, he was president of the Archaeological Institute of America. He also was a member of other classical associations and served as president of the American Philological Association in 1907 and the Michigan Schoolmasters' Club in 1927. He died May 14, 1927.

Kelsey married Mary Isabelle Badger in 1886. They had three children: Charlotte Badger Kelsey, Easton Trowbridge Kelsey, and Ruth Cornelia Kelsey.

From the guide to the Francis Willey Kelsey papers, 1891-1953, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)