Richard Nelson Mason (June 26, 1876 – November 22, 1940) was an American educator and school principal in Washington, D.C. He was the principal of Gunston Hall School, which was founded by his parents. Mason was a great-great-grandson George Mason.[1]

Richard Nelson Mason
Born
Richard Nelson Mason

(1876-06-26)June 26, 1876
DiedNovember 22, 1940(1940-11-22) (aged 64)
Garfield Hospital, Washington, D.C., US
Resting placeIvy Hill Cemetery (Alexandria, Virginia)
Occupation(s)Educator and principal
EmployerGunston Hall School
ParentBeverley Randolph Mason (father)
RelativesGeorge Mason IV (great-great grandfather)
Richard Chichester Mason (grandfather)

Early life

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Mason was born in Culpeper, Virginia on June 26, 1876.[2][3][1] He was the only son of Beverley Randolph Mason and his wife Elizabeth Harrison Nelson.[2][3] Mason was named after his grandfather, Dr. Richard Chichester Mason.[2][3]

Mason and his siblings were first raised and educated at the family residence at 3017 O Street, N.W. in Georgetown.[4] Mason's parents started a school to educate their children and friends' children.[4] The school was named Gunston Hall School for Mason's great-great-grandfather George Mason.[4][5][6] As Gunston Hall School grew, it became an institution of higher learning for girls and young ladies.[4][5][6]

Career

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Mason was an educator at and later become the business manager of the Gunston Hall School after it moved to its final location at 1906 Florida Avenue, N.W.[6][7] Mason's management maintained the school's tradition and continued its high ranking among private schools for young ladies in the United States.[4] He continued his role as business manager of the Gunston Hall School until his death.[4]

Personal life

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Mason married Blanche Andrews on October 31, 1925.[2][3] They had one daughter, Elizabeth Nelson Mason (born 27 November 1935.[2][3]

Mason was elected into the Sons of the American Revolution on 27 May 1915,[7] due to his descent from his great-grandfather, Robert Randolph (1759–1825).[7]

Mason died on November 22, 1940, at Garfield Hospital in Washington, D.C.[2][3][1] He was interred on November 25, 1940, at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.

Ancestry

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Tyler, Lyon Gardiner (1915). Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, under the editorial supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler. University of Virginia: Lewis historical publishing company. Archived from the original on 2017-12-18.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gunston Hall. "Richard Nelson Mason". Gunston Hall. Archived from the original on 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Barry Christopher Noonan. "DESCENDANTS OF EDWARD III". DESCENDANTS OF EDWARD III. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Paul Kelsey Williams (2003). "Scenes from the Past..." (PDF). washingtonhistory.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  5. ^ a b Grace Dunlop Peter (2009). "Third Street, Beall (O) Street, West (P) Street in George Town". Access Genealogy: A Free Genealogy Resource. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  6. ^ a b c shorpy.com (2009-03-29). "Gunston Girls: 1905". shorpy.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  7. ^ a b c Bob Kipke (2009). "The Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the District of Columbia, 1920". Access Genealogy: A Free Genealogy Resource. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2009-08-24.