Robben Wright Fleming | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th President of the University of Michigan | |
| In office 1968–1979 | |
| Preceded by | Harlan Hatcher |
| Succeeded by | Harold Tafler Shapiro |
| Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison | |
| In office 1964–1967 | |
| Preceded by | Fred Harvey Harrington |
| Succeeded by | William H. Sewell |
| Interim President of the University of Michigan | |
| In office 1988–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Harold Tafler Shapiro |
| Succeeded by | James J. Duderstadt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 18, 1916 Paw Paw, Illinois, United States |
| Died | January 11, 2010 (aged 93) Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
Robben Wright Fleming (December 18, 1916 – January 11, 2010), also known in his youth as Robben Wheeler Fleming, was an American lawyer, professor, and academic administrator. He was president of the University of Michigan from 1968 to 1979—and interim president again in 1988—and established a reputation for patience and willingness to engage in dialogue with students during the frequent campus protests of that era. He has been called "one of the truly great presidents of the University of Michigan" by former University president Mary Sue Coleman.
He served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1964 to 1967 and also led that institution through a period of campus unrest—including, in one instance, writing a personal check to cover bail for students arrested during a demonstration.
He also worked as a lawyer in the U.S. Army during World War II, as a labor negotiator, and as president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.