He entered Tufts College in Medford in 1894, but dropped out during his senior year after his father's death in order to run the family coal company, not receiving his B.A.
He married Elizabeth Frances Edwards in 1906 and they raised their niece Isabel Jean but had no other children.
His presidency coincided with the Great Depression, but he managed to keep the college's finances in good shape and modestly improve the campus, adding one building to the campus each year, including the Cousens Gymnasium, built in 1931–1932.
He also attempted to institute academic reforms such as a more competitive three-tier system that base Bachelor's and professional degrees on stricter expectations of quality work; however, these and other controversial curriculum reforms failed due to faculty opposition.
He died while in office on July 2, 1937, of a heart attack, and the funeral service was held at Goddard Chapel.