Economist David Kinley came to Illinois in 1893. A dean since 1894 and vicepresident since 1914, Kinley succeeded President James in 1919 and 1920 and served until 1930. Though he lacked James' popularity among the faculty, Kinley was an effective promoter of the university. His zealous sense of stewardship for democratic higher education caused him to limit curricular innovation, but it also secured support for an extensive building program.