Robert_Shaw_Wilkinson

Robert Shaw Wilkinson

Robert Shaw Wilkinson

African American educator and second South Carolina State University President

Robert Shaw Wilkinson (born 18 February 1865) was an educator and the second president of South Carolina State University. As president, Wilkinson instituted a building program and created a State Teacher Summer School. Before becoming president, Wilkinson taught at Kentucky State University and South Carolina State University.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Early life

Wilkinson was born in Charleston, South Carolina on February 18, 1865, to Charles and Lavinia A. Wilkinson.[1]

He attended the Avery Normal Institute in Charleston, South Carolina.[1] In 1884, Wilkinson received an appointment at West Point Military Academy, but did not attend because he failed to pass the physical requirements.[2] Later that year, Wilkinson entered an Oberlin College preparatory program and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1891.[2] In 1904, he earned a Ph.D from Columbia University.[2] In 1922, he earned a Doctor of Law from Allen University.[2]

Career

Before becoming a university president, Wilkinson taught at several institutions. In 1891, Wilkinson joined the Kentucky State University faculty, teaching Latin, Greek, and political science.[2] In 1886, he was one of the first faculty members to join South Carolina State University (SCSU), where he taught mathematics, physics, and chemistry.[2]

A school building at SCSU in 1910, while Wilkinson was a faculty member

In 1911, SCSU's first president, Thomas E. Miller, retired and Wilkinson became president.[3] During his time as president, he instituted a building program in collaboration with Clemson University and Clafin College, as well as creating a State Teacher Summer School.[3]

Personal life

Wilkinson was married to Marion B. Wilkinson, an African American suffragist, community activist, and educator.[4] They had four children together.[4]

Death and legacy

He died of pneumonia on March 13, 1932, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.[4][3]

In 1938, Orangeburg's first black high school was named after Wilkinson.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    Staff, MSRC (2015-10-01). "WILKINSON, Robert". Manuscript Division Finding Aids.
  2. [2]
    Powers, Bernard Edward (2020). 101 African Americans who Shaped South Carolina. Columbia: The University of South Carolina Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-64336-139-0.
  3. [3]
    "The History of South Carolina State University – South Carolina State University". 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  4. [4]
    "DR. R.S. WILKINSON, EDUCATOR, DIES AT 67; President of State Agricultural and Mechanical College in South Carolina". The New York Times. 1932-03-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  5. [5]
    "Wilkinson High School (Original site)". The Green Book of South Carolina. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
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