Cornelius Conway Felton (November 6, 1807 – February 26, 1862) was an American educator. He was regent of the Smithsonian Institution, as well as professor of Greek literature and president of Harvard University.
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Early life
Felton was born in West Newbury, Massachusetts. He was the brother of Samuel Morse Felton Sr., the half-brother of John B. Felton and the uncle of Samuel Morse Felton Jr.
He graduated from Harvard University in 1827, having taught school in the winter vacations of his sophomore and junior years. During his undergraduate years, he was also a member of the Hasty Pudding student theatrical society.
Career
After teaching in the Livingstone High School of Geneseo, New York, for two years, he became tutor at Harvard in 1829, university professor of Greek in 1832, and Eliot Professor of Greek Literature in 1834. In 1860 he succeeded James Walker as president of Harvard, which position he held until his death.
He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1854.