Thomas William Humes (1815-1892), born in Knoxville, Tenn., was a clergyman, college president, author, and librarian. He graduated from East Tennessee College (now the University of Tennessee) in 1831 and received a master's degree in 1833. He then spent a term at Princeton Theological Seminary but returned to Knoxville as a journalist. He edited the Knoxville Times, Knoxville Register, and the Whig's Watch Tower. He was ordained in 1845 then became a rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Knoxville (1846-61, 1863-69). He was Chairman of the East Tennessee Relief Association, which aided Unionists in East Tennessee. He served as president of East Tennessee University from 1865 to 1883. Humes served as librarian for the Lawson McGhee Library in Knoxville from 1886 until his death.