John Work Scott
John Work Scott, son of Andrew Scott and Mary Dinsmore, was the sixth and last president of Washington College before its merger with Jefferson College to form Washington & Jefferson College.[1]
John Work Scott | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sixth President of Washington College | |
| In office 1853–1865 | |
| Preceded by | James Clark |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Edwards |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1807 |
| Died | July 25, 1879 |
| Alma mater | Jefferson College |
| Profession | Educator and Ordained Minister |
| Salary | $1,500 per year |
A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Scott graduated from Jefferson College in 1827 and worked as a Presbyterian minister.[1] He was elected president of Washington College on November 10, 1852 and was inaugurated in 1853.[1] He earned a salary of $1000 per year and received a raise to $1500 per year in 1859. In 1860, he was elected president of the Maryland Agricultural College, but was unavailable to serve.[2] By 1862, Washington College's enrollment dropped by about two-thirds, as 90 students joined the armed services to fight in the American Civil War.[1] Scott retired from the presidency in August 1865, ostensibly to smooth the merger between Washington College and Jefferrson College. He continued his career in academia by teaching at West Virginia University, where he also served as acting president 1876-1877.[1][3][4]
References
- "John W. Scott (1852-Union of the Colleges)". U. Grant Miller Library Digital Archives. Washington & Jefferson College. 2003-09-04.
- "Former President John Work Scott". University of Maryland Presidents 1859–present. University of Maryland. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- "Scott, John Work". Biographical and Historical Catalogue of Washington and Jefferson College. Cincinnati, Ohio: Elm Street Printing Company. 1889. p. 48.
4. The History of Education in West Virginia; State Institutions - West Virginia University, Waitman Rabre, Litt. D., 1909, West Virginia State Department of History, p. 57.