Stanley John Folmsbee was born in South Valley, New York on November 29, 1899. He earned his AB from Dickinson College in 1922 and his AM (1926) and PhD (1932) from the University of Pennsylvania. He married Ocie L. Buckner (1902-1988). Folmsbee taught briefly at the University of Pennsylvania before coming to the University of Tennessee as an instructor of History in September 1928. He specialized in Tennessee and American history and later developed an interest in the history of the university. Over the course of his career, Folmsbee authored and edited six books and innumerable articles, including the standard history of the University of Tennessee, To Foster Knowledge (with James Montgomery and Lee S. Greene, 1984), and his well-respected A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee (1973). In addition to his work with the university, he was deeply involved with the East Tennessee Historical Society where he served as President from 1934 to 1935 and as managing editor of the society's publications from 1937 until his death. He was also active in a number of civic organizations, including the Exchange Club and the Sons of the Revolution. Folmsbee retired from the university on September 1, 1970 and died on September 6, 1974.