William Dod was born in Mendham, New Jersey, on November 25, 1808; graduated from Princeton College in the class of 1833. In 1836 he became Professor of Mathematics in Centre College and served until 1847, when he resigned and took charge of a school in Cincinnati, Ohio. Three years later he went to New York City and taught at a classical school. In 1856 he moved to Missouri where he owned a farm. Here he remained until the war between the States. On account of the disturbed condition of this state, he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he dwelt for thirteen years. He returned to Missouri and died there on November 17, 1883.