William H. Wells (educator)

William Harvey Wells (1812–1885) was an American educator who served as the superintendent of Chicago Public Schools from 1856 through 1864.

William H. Wells
President of the Chicago Board of Education
In office
1878–1880
Preceded byW.K. Sullivan[1]
Succeeded byMartin Delany[1]
2nd Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools
In office
June 1, 1856 – July 6, 1864
Preceded byJohn Clark Dore
Succeeded byJosiah Little Pickard
Personal details
Born(1812-02-27)February 27, 1812
Tolland, Connecticut
DiedJanuary 21, 1885(1885-01-21) (aged 72)
Chicago, Illinois
ProfessionEducator and editor
Signature

Early life and early career

Wells was born February 27, 1812, in Tolland, Connecticut.[2] He was the son of a farmer, and received his initial education from a small district school he attended for several weeks in the winter up to the age of seventeen.[2] The fall of 1829 and winter of 1830, at the age of seventeen, he attended an academy in Vernon, Connecticut.[2]

Having decided to become an educator, he attended the Teachers Seminary in Andover, Massachusetts.[2] He would go on to work there for several years as well.[2]

In the summer of 1847, Wells was elected the principal of Putnam Free School in Newbury, Massachusetts.[2]

Wells was involved as an editor of the publication Massachusetts Teacher.[2]

In 1854, the Massachusetts Board of Education appointed him the head of Westfield State Normal School.[2] In May of 1856, he resigned this position in order to accept appointment as the superintendent of Chicago Public Schools.[2]

Superintendency of Chicago Public Schools

Wells served as the superintendent of Chicago Public Schools from 1856 through 1864.[3][4] His tenure formally began on June 1, 1856.[2]

In 1862, Wells published Graded Course of Instruction for the Public Schools of Chicago. In this publication, Wells sought to create uniform guidelines of the curriculum to be taught at different levels, with the intent of implementing this uniform curriculum citywide.[5][6] This would be adopted by many other cities as a teachers' manual and standard guide, directly shaping education in the United States for many years after.[7][5]

On July 6, 1864, Wells retired from the position of superintendent.[2]

William H. Wells Community Academy High School in Chicago is named for him.

Later career

From 1878 through 1880, Wells served as President of the Chicago Board of Education.[1]

Death

Wells died in at his home in Chicago on January 21, 1885.[2][8][9]

References
  1. History of Chicago, Illinois. v.2. Chicago and New York City: Munsell & co. p. 89.
  2. "In memoriam, William Harvey Wells : sketches of his life and character : memorial addresses and proceedings and resolutions of public bodies on the occasion of his death". Chicago : Fergus Print. Co. 1887. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. History of Chicago, Illinois. v.2. Chicago and New York City: Munsell & co. p. 89.
  4. James, Michael. "The Chicago Board of Education Desegregation Policies and Practices [1975-1985]: A Historical Examination of the Administrations of Superintendents Dr. Joseph P. Hannon and Dr. Ruth Love". Loyola University Chicago. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  5. "Beyond the One-Room Schoolhouse | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  6. "1850-1877: Education: Chronology | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  7. "1850-1877: Education: Overview | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  8. "Wells, William Harvey, 1812-1885". id.loc.gov. The Library of Congress. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  9. "Obituary: William Harvey Wells". Chicago Tribune. January 22, 1885. p. 6. Retrieved November 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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