High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Albert Alexander Murphree (April 29, 1870 – December 20, 1927) was an American college professor and university president. Murphree was a native of Alabama, and became a mathematics instructor after earning his bachelor`s degree. He later served as the third president of Florida State College (later renamed Florida State University) from 1897 to 1909, and the second president of the University of Florida from 1909 to 1927. Murphree is the only person to have been the president of both of Florida`s original state universities, the University of Florida and Florida State University, and he played an important role in the organization, growth and ultimate success of both institutions.