Of most historical significance, he served as the first President of the University of Alabama from 1831 to 1837.

Alva Woods was born on August 13, 1794, in Shoreham, Vermont.

He studied at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, graduating in 1813.

In 1824, he became professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Brown, where he was interim President (1826–27).

[3] In 1831 Woods accepted the presidency of the University of Alabama.