Robert Shaw Wilkinson

Wilkinson was born in Charleston, South Carolina on February 18, 1865, to Charles and Lavinia A. Wilkinson.[1]

He attended the Avery Normal Institute in Charleston, South Carolina.[1] In 1884, Wilkinson received an appointment at West Point Military Academy, but did not attend because he failed to pass the physical requirements.[2] Later that year, Wilkinson entered an Oberlin College preparatory program and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1891.[2] In 1904, he earned a Ph.D from Columbia University.[2] In 1922, he earned a Doctor of Law from Allen University.[2]

Before becoming a university president, Wilkinson taught at several institutions. In 1891, Wilkinson joined the Kentucky State University faculty, teaching Latin, Greek, and political science.[2] In 1886, he was one of the first faculty members to join South Carolina State University (SCSU), where he taught mathematics, physics, and chemistry.[2]

A school building at SCSU in 1910, while Wilkinson was a faculty member

In 1911, SCSU's first president, Thomas E. Miller, retired and Wilkinson became president.[3] During his time as president, he instituted a building program in collaboration with Clemson University and Clafin College, as well as creating a State Teacher Summer School.[3]

Wilkinson was married to Marion B. Wilkinson, an African American suffragist, community activist, and educator.[4] They had four children together.[4]

He died of pneumonia on March 13, 1932, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.[4][3]

In 1938, Orangeburg's first black high school was named after Wilkinson.[5]