University City in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

William Chauvenet

1820-1870

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 11, 2026

1. William Chauvenet Marker

Inscription.
Professor of Mathematics
United States Navy and President of the Academic Board from 1847 to 1850 largely through whose efforts and plan the Naval Academy was established and organized at Annapolis.

Plaque below the marker:
This reproduction of the original plaque at Annapolis was made with the assistance of midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy and placed here in honor of • William Chauvenet •
Professor of Mathematics & Astronomy in Washington University from 1859 to 1869 and Chancellor from 1862 to 1869.

Erected 1940.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 38° 38.88′ N, 90° 18.366′ W. Marker is in University City, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It can be reached from Brookings Drive west of Skinker Boulevard. Marker is located outside Ridgley Hall, which is on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Brookings Dr, Saint Louis MO 63105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); To The Memory of William Greenleaf Eliot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert S. Brookings Hall (about 300 feet away); Danforth Campus (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Danforth Campus (about 400 feet away); The Aeronautic Concourse of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Forest Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Francis Olympic Field (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University City.

Also see . . . William Chauvenet on Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 11, 2026

2. William Chauvenet Marker
Marker is mounted to the eastern part of Ridgley Hall at Washington University in St. Louis.
Carbon, Illinois.)

William Chauvenet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown Author, June 12, 2018

3. William Chauvenet

unknown author and date

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.