Robert Armistead Bryan (April 26, 1926 – December 27, 2017) was an American former university professor, administrator and university president. Bryan was a native of Pennsylvania, and earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees. He subsequently obtained an appointment as a professor of English literature. He was a long-time professor and academic administrator at the University of Florida, and was appointed as the university's interim president, serving from 1989 to 1990. Bryan also served as the interim president of the University of Central Florida from 1991 to 1992, and the interim president of the University of South Florida from 1993 to 1994. Early life Bryan was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1926. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Miami and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in English from the University of Kentucky. Career He was an English professor who specialized in sixteenth and seventeenth-century English literature. He taught at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, beginning in 1957, with short-term teaching assignments at Florida Southern College in Lakeland and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. In each instance, Bryan returned to the faculty of the University of Florida. Before accepting the professorship at Florida in 1957, Bryan served as a ship's officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine, as a special agent in U.S. Army Counter-intelligence, and as a lecturer in English literature at the University of California's Extension Division in Tokyo, Japan and the University of Kentucky. Bryan began his administrative career by becoming the assistant to the dean of the University of Florida Graduate School in 1961. A year later, as an associate professor, he became director of Florida's Ford Foundation. In 1969, he was appointed dean of advanced studies and director of research at Florida Atlantic University. In 1970, he returned to the University of Florida, and was appointed dean of faculties. He was promoted to associate vice-president for academic affairs in 1971, and became the vice-president of academic affairs in 1975. In 1985, he became university provost as well, and served in that capacity until his appointment as interim president. When president Marshall Criser retired in 1989, Bryan served as the acting president of the University of Florida from 1989 to 1990. As a long-time vice-president of the university administration, he immediately placed his own stamp on it. During his twelve months as