Henry Skinner West (December 23, 1870 – April 9, 1961) was the fifth principal of Maryland State Normal School (now Towson University).
Henry Skinner West | |
|---|---|
_portrait.jpg) West, c. 1919 | |
| Born | December 23, 1870 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 1961 (aged 90) Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Baltimore City College University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University (BA, PhD) |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Spouse |
Anne Brown Downman (m. 1900) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life edit
Henry Skinner West was born on December 23, 1870, in Baltimore.[1][2] He attended schools in Maryland. He graduated from both the Baltimore City College and the University of Maryland in 1890. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1893 and a PhD in 1899 from Johns Hopkins University.[1][3]
Career edit
From 1890 to 1891, West taught at a Baltimore elementary school. He then worked as a professor at Baltimore City College from 1894 to 1897 and again in 1900. He was an instructor at Johns Hopkins University from 1899 to 1900.[1] He was principal at Western High School from 1900 to 1906.[1][4] West was the special assistant superintendent for schools in Baltimore from 1906 to 1911. He then worked for Johns Hopkins summer schools for teachers from 1911 to 1915.[4] West was professor of education and director of secondary schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1912 to 1917.[4] During this time, he was a professor of education at the University of Cincinnati.[5]
In 1917, Dr. West was appointed as principal of the Maryland State Normal School (now Towson University). During his tenure, enrollment at the school dropped severely due to World War I and funding and dormity space for the school was inadequate and the teachers were poorly paid.[3] In 1920, West left his position to become the superintendent of schools in Baltimore. He held this position for five years.[3] He resigned following criticism about his administration.[4] As principal, he held an enrollment campaign to attract more students, reorganized the school administration and introduced the first summer session in 1918. He helped Maryland adopt a system for teacher certification.[3]
In 1926, West went to the University of Miami in Florida to work as a professor of education. In 1928, he became its first dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He also became the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1929.[2][4][3] He also taught at the University of North Carolina in the summer months.[4] West retired in 1942 and was named dean emeritus at the University of Miami for both the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences.[6]
Personal life edit
West married Anne Brown Downman on November 17, 1900.[7] They had two sons and one daughter, Henry D., Julian S. and Harriet.[2][4]
West died on April 9, 1961, at his home in Evanston, Illinois.[1]
Legacy edit
In 1955, the Henry S. West Laboratory School was named in his honor.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Former School Chief Dies". The Evening Sun. April 12, 1961. p. 62 s. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Dr. Henry West Dies; UM Dean". Miami Herald. April 11, 1961. p. 8-C. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Principals and Presidents of Towson University". March 14, 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Former School Chief Dies". The Evening Sun. April 12, 1961. p. 40. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dr. Henry West Rites". The Cincinnati Post. April 14, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Dr. West, U-M Pioneer". The Miami News. April 11, 1961. p. 5. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Coming Wedding". The Baltimore Sun. November 14, 1900. p. 8. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
External links edit
