Herman Knapp was born in Poultney, Vermont, on December 28, 1863, to Seaman A. and Maria Elizabeth Knapp. He received his B.S.A. (1883) in agriculture from the Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State University). Knapp was hired by Iowa State as Deputy Treasurer (1883-1884) before he even graduated from college. His career at Iowa State continued for more than fifty years.



Knapp held several teaching jobs and numerous administrative positions at Iowa State. Following his time as deputy treasurer, he was named Assistant Professor (1885-1887) and placed in charge of agriculture. He then took on the jobs of Recorder (1887-1908), Treasurer (1887-1935), Registrar (1908-1920), and Business Manager (1920-1933). Knapp was named Acting President (1926-1927) of the college and later named Vice President for Business and Finance (1932-1935). Knapp also served in the Iowa National Guard and was commissioned as captain in Company "C" (Ames) in 1905. He received an honorary L.L.D. degree (1928) from the University of Iowa.



Knapp was heavily involved with expanding the campus carillon. The carillon, erected in 1899 to honor Knapp's sister-in-law, Margaret McDonald Stanton, originally held 10 bells. In 1928, Knapp ordered 26 additional bells for the carillon. The new bells were inaugurated with a concert in October 1929. The Iowa State carillon was considered one of the best in the country, and others contacted Knapp for advice on building similar structures elsewhere.

Herman Knapp married Mary McDonald in 1885. Mary was an 1883 graduate of Iowa State and also the sister of Margaret McDonald Stanton, Edgar Stanton's wife. The Knapps had four children: Seaman Arthur, Hermine, Jeannette, and Byron McDonald.



Herman Knapp died on March 22, 1935, and was buried in the Iowa State University Cemetery.