Grace Warren Landrum, a prominent figure in the history of the William & Mary, was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 18, 1876. After receiving a B.A. from Radcliffe in 1898 and a Masters degree from the University of Chicago in 1915, she began teaching English at Westhampton College.
In 1927, after nine years at Westhampton, she came to William & Mary. She held two positions, Dean of Women and professor of English. When she retired in 1947, she received an honorary D. Lit. degree from the University of Richmond. After leaving William & Mary, she taught for a year at Redlands College in California. Landrum was a member of many organizations including the American Association of University Women and Phi Beta Kappa. She studied several literary figures, but concentrated on Chaucer and Spenser. She was known for her love of nature and English literature as well as the care and attention she gave to each student she taught.
In 1951, after being hospitalized in Columbus, Ohio for several months due to an illness she had for almost a year, she passed away. A memorial service was held for her at The College of William & Mary in the Wren Building on April 27. Landrum Hall, a women's dormitory at the College of William & Mary, was named in honor of Grace Warren Landrum on February 9, 1959.