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John Witherspoon Scott

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Name
  
John Scott

Died
  
November 29, 1892


Education
  
Yale University

Children
  
Caroline Harrison

Role
  
Caroline Harrison's father

Grandchildren
  
Mary Harrison McKee, Russell Benjamin Harrison

Similar People
  
Caroline Harrison, Russell Benjamin Harrison, Mary Harrison McKee, John Scott Harrison, Benjamin Harrison

The Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon Scott (January 22, 1800-November 29, 1892) was an American Presbyterian minister, academic and college administrator. His daughter Caroline Harrison became First Lady of the United States after her husband Benjamin Harrison was elected as president.

Contents

Early life and education

The son of George McElroy and Anna (Rea) Scott, John was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He received his college education at Yale University and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister.

Marriage and family

Scott married Mary Potts Neal. His children included Caroline Harrison.

Career

Scott was hired in the 1820s at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as its first professor of science. He was fired for his anti-slavery views during the presidency of George Junkin.

After teaching for several years in Cincinnati, Scott returned to Oxford in 1849, having been appointed as the first president of the Presbyterian Oxford Female Institute. His daughter Caroline graduated from there in 1852.

As minister, Scott presided over the wedding of his daughter to Benjamin Harrison in 1853. Dr. Scott served as president of the Oxford Female College and as a professor at Hanover College.

Later years

After his wife's death, Scott lived with President and Mrs. Harrison in the White House during their term. Both his daughter and he died there in 1892, he a month after her.

References

John Witherspoon Scott Wikipedia