Oscar John Craig papers

Oscar John Craig was born on April 18, 1846, in Madison, Indiana, to Scotch-Irish parents Miles W. and Mary S. (Feather) Craig. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1863 and was discharged in 1865. He married Narcissa E. Gasaway on August 24, 1875, in Kansas. They had three children: Mary A., William O., and Vincent W. S..

Craig matriculated at Asbury University (now DePauw University) in 1866 but did not earn his Bachelor's degree (A.B.) until 1881. He continued his studies there and earned his Master's degree (A.M.) in 1884. Craig earned his Ph.D. in History and Political Science in 1887 from the University of Wooster (Ohio).

Craig served as the Superintendent of City Schools in Sullivan, Indiana in 1880. In 1883, Craig came to the prepatory department of Purdue University. In 1886 he was advanced to the Chair of the Department of History and Political Science.

Craig left in 1895 to become the first President of the University of Montana. Craig retired from the educational field permanently in 1908 due to ill health. He died March 5, 1911 from nephritis in San Diego, California. The Oscar J. Craig Heritage Society was established for individuals who have committed a planned gift to benefit the University of Montana.