John William Oliver (1885 - 1972)

John William Oliver, Sr. (April 12, 1885 - February 29, 1972) was an American academic and historian. He grew up on a farm in the Leemon community near Fruitland, Missouri and attended the University of Missouri on a history scholarship, receiving his A.B. and B.S. in 1911 and A.M. in 1912. After completing his education, he moved to Wisconsin to pursue a PhD at the University of Wisconsin. From 1914-1916, he was awarded the American History Fellowship and completed his PhD at the University of Wisconsin in 1915. In World War I he served as 2nd Lieutenant Field Artillery. Upon his return, he was director of the Indiana State Historical Society from 1916-1923. He served as professor and head of the department of history at the University of Pittsburgh (1923-1954). Oliver was a professor of American history specializing in the history of applied science and technology. Additionally, Oliver was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from Geneva College in 1948.