John Daniel Runkle

Biography

John Daniel Runkle was a mathematician and educator who helped shape engineering training in America, notably serving as the second president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and expanding its curriculum to include practical studies tied to industrial needs. He believed deeply in the partnership of theory and practice, ensuring students gained both scientific knowledge and hands-on experience.

Runkle’s teaching inspired countless engineers and educators, and he wrote widely on mathematics as well as educational reform, promoting high standards of scholarship. His balanced stewardship of MIT during its formative years established a foundation for the institute’s future leadership in technology and research.