The Boyd Professorship was established in 1953 by the LSU Board of Supervisors. This professorship is named in honor of brothers David F. and Thomas D. Boyd who served as presidents of LSU in its formative years. The Boyd Professorship, the highest professorial rank awarded by the University, is given only to professors who have attained national or international distinction for outstanding teaching, research or other creative achievement. Law professors holding the Boyd Professor rank include Henry George McMahon, 1963-66, Wex S. Malone, 1966-88, Saúl Litvinoff, 1985- , and William D. Hawkland, 1989-04.