John Work Scott

John Work Scott
Sixth President of Washington College
Term 1853 – 1865
Predecessor James Clark
Successor Jonathan Edwards
Born 1807
Died July 25, 1879(1879-07-25)
Alma mater Jefferson College
Profession Educator and Ordained Minister
Religion Presbyterian
Salary $1,500 per year

John Work Scott was the sixth and last president of Washington College before its merger with Jefferson College to form Washington & Jefferson College.[1]

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. 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.[1][2]

References

Academic offices
Preceded by
James I. Brownson (Interim)
President of Washington College
1852–Union of the Colleges
Succeeded by
Jonathan Edwards

See also

Washington & Jefferson College portal