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William North Rice was born November 21, 1845 in Marblehead, Massachusetts to William Rice and Caroline Laura (North) Rice. He prepared for college at Springfield High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1865 with a bachelors degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, serving as class valedictorian. His interest in religious ministry began early with an invitation to preach at Grace Church in Boston shortly after his graduation in 1865. In 1867 after studies at the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College, he earned the first Ph.D. in the United States to be awarded in the field of Geology. Upon graduation from Yale, he was offered a faculty position at Wesleyan College, but he opted to undertake post-doctoral studies in Germany for a year at the renowned Institute of Natural History established by Alexander von Humboldt (1769—1859) at the University of Berlin. Later in 1886, he earned a doctor of laws (LL.D.) degree at Syracuse University.

Rice served as professor of geology and natural history at Wesleyan beginning in 1868. Early in his career he was ordained as a minister, joining the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the early 1870s, Rice undertook zoological research work with Spencer Baird at the newly established laboratory of the United States Fish Commission at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Later in the winter 1876 to 1877, he was part of a major geological and zoological expedition to Bermuda, one of the first expeditions of its type undertaken by American scientists.

In the early 1880s, Rice took an interest in the geology of Europe, traveling for research activities there in 1881 and 1884. He continued further work with European colleagues in an extended trip to Germany from 1892 to 1893, and in later to France in 1900. Beginning in 1891, Rice took an active interest in the geology of the American West, traveling to Yellowstone National Park and other Rocky Mountain locations as part of an international geological expedition. Later in 1904, he conducted research in the Grand Canyon and Mexico, and later in that decade he traveled to Alaska to study the glaciers of Yakutat Bay.

Rice served as an assistant geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, mapping the geological features of Connecticut. Later from 1903 to 1918, he served as Superintendent of the State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut.

In addition to his scientific studies, Rice took a keen interest in issues of science and religion. He was a lecturer on the relations of religion and science at the Hamilton Theological Seminary at Colgate University between 1897 and 1900. Throughout his career he wrote a number of landmark articles and books on the reconciliation of science with religious faith.

Rice was active as an officer within scientific societies. In 1891, he served as the president of the American Society of Naturalists. Later, from 1905 to 1906, he served as the vice president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, while concurrently serving as the chairman of the Geological Sciences division of that organization. Rice was also active in his local community by serving as a member of the Middletown Board of Education from 1884 to 1891; presiding over the board from 1885 to 1891. Later, from 1902 to 1905, he served as the president of the statewide Connecticut Council of Education.

Rice served as acting president of Wesleyan University on three occasions in 1907, from 1908 to 1909, and again in 1918. Shortly after his last stint as acting president in 1918, he retired from teaching, but continued much of his research and academic work as an emeritus professor. Later in his retirement, he moved to Delaware, Ohio to live with his son and his family. He died November 13, 1928 in Delaware, Ohio.

On April 12, 1870, Rice married Elizabeth Wing Crowell, daughter of Loranus Crowell, an official within the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had two children. Edward Loranus Rice was born on March 18, 1871, and later became a professor of zoology at Ohio Wesleyan University. Charles William Rice was born on September 19, 1879 but died at three years of age.

William North Rice was a direct descendant of Edmund Rice, an English immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony, as follows:

• William North Rice, son of

* William Rice (1821 – ca1890), son of

:* William Rice (1788 – 1863), son of

:* Nathan Rice (1760 – 1838), son of

:* John Rice (1704 – 1771), son of

::* Ephriam Rice (1665 – 1732), son of

::* Thomas Rice (1625 – 1681), son of

:::* Edmund Rice (1594 – 1663)