John C. Bell

John Cromwell Bell (October 3, 1861 – December 29, 1935) was a distinguished Pennsylvania lawyer, serving as a District Attorney for Philadelphia and state Attorney General.

He was closely involved with football and his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.He served as director of Penn's athletic program, chairman of its football committee, and from 1911 onwards, was a trustee.He helped found the NCAA, and served on Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee, responsible for the many rules changes made in collegiate football in its early years.

His family moved to Philadelphia when he was fourteen.Bell attended Central High, graduating in 1880 (with an A.B.) and then the University of Pennsylvania Law School, receiving an LL.B. in 1884. At Penn, he played halfback on the football team for three years.

He married Fleurette de Benneville Keim Myers, daughter of Leonard Myers, a former Congressman, in 1890.They had two sons.The elder, John Cromwell, had a distinguished career as attorney, governor, and judge.The younger, de Benneville, known as Bert, had a distinguished career as football team owner and NFL commissioner.

Bell achieved prominence as an attorney very quickly, and he was noted for his corporate work.He was offered a judgeship, but declined.

When in 1902 sitting Philadelphia District Attorney John Weaver won election as the city's mayor, Bell accepted the appointment to take his place, and then ran for and won a term on his own, but declined a renomination.As District Attorney, he was noted for enforcement of food purity laws.

In 1911, Governor John K. Tener appointed Bell as state Attorney General.Upon completing his term, Bell returned to private practice.

Bell died of heart disease in 1935.