List of Superintendents of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
| Party | Superintendents |
|---|---|
| ? | 9 |
| None | 9 |
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
4 |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2 |
| National Union National Union Party (United States) The National Union Party was the name used by the Republican Party for the national ticket in the 1864 presidential election, held during the Civil War. State Republican parties did not usually change their name.... |
1 |
| Independent | 1 |
This is a list of people who have held the position of Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, is a constitutional office within the executive branch of the Wisconsin state government, and acts as the executive head of the Department of Public Instruction...
. Political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
affiliation is indicated by shading for superintendents elected prior to 1902, when partisan elections for this office were ended. Since 1902, superintendents have been elected on a non-partisan basis.
| # | Superintendents | Party | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eleazer Root Eleazer Root Eleazer Root was an American educator and Episcopalian priest.Born in Canaan, New York, Root graduated from Williams College and was admitted to the New York bar. After moving briefly to Virginia, Root moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin where he help founded the present Carroll University... |
Independent | January 1, 1849 | January 5, 1852 |
| 2 | Azel P. Ladd Azel P. Ladd Azel Parkhurst Ladd was an American educator from Wisconsin.Born in Haverhill, New Hampshire, Ladd studied medicine and taught school in Massachusetts. In 1842, he moved to Shullsburg, Wisconsin. He was elected the second Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin serving 1852-1854.-Notes:... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
January 5, 1852 | January 2, 1854 |
| 3 | Hiram A. Wright Hiram A. Wright Hiram A. Wright was an American educator and politician from Wisconsin.Born in St. Lawrence County, New York, Wright moved to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin in 1846. Wright started a newspaper the 'Prairie du Chien Patriot', in 1848. He also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1850. Wright was... Died in office. |
Democratic | January 2, 1854 | May 29, 1855 |
| vacant | May 29, 1855 | June 26, 1855 | ||
| 4 | A. Constantine Barry A. Constantine Barry Alfred Constantine Barry was an American educator, politician, and Universalist minister from Wisconsin.Born in Walton, New York, Barry was ordained an Universalist minister in 1836. After pastoring churches in New York and Richmond, Virginia, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where he started a... Appointed to fill unexpired term. |
Democratic | June 26, 1855 | January 4, 1858 |
| 5 | Lyman C. Draper | Democratic | January 4, 1858 | January 2, 1860 |
| 6 | Josiah Little Pickard Josiah Little Pickard Josiah Little Pickard was the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin, 1860-1864, and the sixth President of the University of Iowa, 1878-1887.... Resigned from office. |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
January 2, 1860 | September 30, 1864 |
| vacant | September 30, 1864 | October 1, 1864 | ||
| 7 | John G. McMynn John G. McMynn John Gibson McMynn was an American educator.Born in Palatine Bridge, New York, McMynn graduated from Williams College in 1848. In 1848, he moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he started a school. Eventually, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin to set up the public school system... |
National Union National Union Party (United States) The National Union Party was the name used by the Republican Party for the national ticket in the 1864 presidential election, held during the Civil War. State Republican parties did not usually change their name.... |
October 1, 1864 | January 6, 1868 |
| 8 | Alexander J. Craig Alexander J. Craig Alexander J. Craig was an American educator and politician from Wisconsin.Born in Wallkill, New York, Craig was self-educated. In 1843, he moved to Palmyra, Wisconsin, where he taught school and farmed. He was the editor of the 'Journal of Wisconsin Education' published by the state of Wisconsin... |
? | January 6, 1868 | July 6, 1870 |
| 9 | Samuel Fallows Samuel Fallows Samuel Fallows was an American clergyman. Fallows was born in England and graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1859. During the American Civil War, he fought in the Union Army, rising to Colonel of the 40th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and brevetted Brigadier General... |
? | July 6, 1870 | January 4, 1874 |
| 10 | Edward Searing Edward Searing Edward Searing was an American educator.Born in Aurora, New York, in Cayuga County, New York, Searing received his bachelors and masters degree from the University of Michigan. In 1857, he moved to Wisconsin and taught school. Searing then moved to Milton, Wisconsin in 1863 and became a professor... |
? | January 4, 1874 | January 7, 1878 |
| 11 | William Clarke Whitford William Clarke Whitford William Clarke Whiford was an American educator, legislator, and pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church from Wisconsin.... |
? | January 7, 1878 | January 2, 1882 |
| 12 | Robert Graham Robert Graham (Wisconsin politician) Robert Graham was an American educator.Born in Putnam, New York, he graduated from Albany Normal School now the University at Albany, SUNY. He then moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he taught school. During the American Civil War, he served as a captain in the 39th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry... |
? | January 2, 1882 | January 3, 1887 |
| 13 | Jesse B. Thayer Jesse B. Thayer Jesse Thayer was an American educator and legislator.Born in Janesville, Wisconsin, he served in the American Civil War. Afterwards, he graduated from Milton College. He was a superintendent of public schools and was a mathematics professor at Rivers Falls Normal School now University of... |
? | January 3, 1887 | January 5, 1891 |
| 14 | Oliver Elwin Wells Oliver Elwin Wells Oliver Elwin Wells was an American educator.Born in Lamartine, Wisconsin, Wells went to University of Chicago, but did not graduated, He moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he was a superintendent of public schools... |
? | January 5, 1891 | January 7, 1895 |
| 15 | John Q. Emery John Q. Emery John Quincy Emery was an American educator.Born in Liberty, Ohio, he moved with his parents to Albion, Wisconsin. He went to Albion Academy and became a teacher. Emery was school supervisor and principal at several places including River Falls Normal School now University of Wisconsin–River... |
? | January 7, 1895 | January 2, 1899 |
| 16 | Lorenzo D. Harvey Lorenzo D. Harvey -Biography:Harvey was born Lorenzo Dow Harvey in Deerfield, New Hampshire in 1848. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1850, settling in Fulton, Wisconsin. Harvey would graduate from Milton College and become principal of high schools in Mazomanie, Wisconsin and Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1880,... |
Republican | January 2, 1899 | January 5, 1903 |
| 17 | Charles P. Cary Charles P. Cary Charles Preston Cary was an American educator.Born in Marshall, Ohio, Cary went to Ohio Central Normal School and worked in education in Ohio, Kansas, and Nebraska. In 1893, he moved to Wisconsin and was the head of the Milwaukee State Normal School training department Charles Preston Cary... |
? | January 5, 1903 | July 1, 1921 |
| 18 | John Callahan John Callahan (Wisconsin politician) John Callahan was an American educator.Born in Golden's Bridge, New York, he moved with his family to Prescott, Wisconsin. He went to the public schools and did private study. He served as Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin 1921–1949.-Notes:... |
none | July 1, 1921 | 1949 |
| 19 | George Earl Watson George Earl Watson George Earl Watson was an American edcucator.Born in Neenah, Wisconsin, Watson received his bachelors degree from Lawrence University and his masters from University of Wisconsin–Madison. He then became a teacher and served as principal and school supervisor. He served as Wisconsin... |
none | 1949 | 1961 |
| 20 | Angus B. Rothwell Angus B. Rothwell -Biography:Rothwell was born on July 25, 1905 in Superior, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and Columbia University. Additionally, he received honorary degrees from Carroll University and Lawrence University. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy.... |
none | 1961 | July 1, 1966 |
| 21 | William C. Kahl William C. Kahl William C. Kahl Born in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, Kahl graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison. He then was a teacher and principal at various schools. In 1966, Kahl was appointed Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction. Kahl was then elected to the office serving until 1973.... |
none | July 1, 1966 | 1973 |
| 22 | Barbara Thompson Barbara Thompson (Wisconsin politician) Barbara Thompson was an educator and the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin from 1973 to 1981.... |
none | 1973 | 1981 |
| 23 | Herbert J. Grover Herbert J. Grover Herbert J. Grover is an American, Democratic educator and politician from Wisconsin.Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Grover graduated from Shawano High School. He received his bachelors degree from St. Norbert College... |
none | 1981 | April 9, 1993 |
| vacantLee Dreyfus served as "interim superintendent" during this period, but was never officially superintendent. | April 9, 1993 | 1993 | ||
| 24 | John T. Benson John T. Benson John T. Benson is an American educator and Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin 1993-2001.Born in Mauston, Wisconsin, Benson graduated from Luther College 1960 and received his masters degree from University of Minnesota 1963... |
none | 1993 | 2001 |
| 25 | Elizabeth Burmaster Elizabeth Burmaster Elizabeth Burmaster is an American educator and was the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin 2001-2009.Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Burmaster received her bachelors and masters degrees from University of Wisconsin–Madison and was in public school administration. She has honorary... |
none | 2001 | 2009 |
| 26 | Tony Evers Tony Evers Tony Evers is an American educator and the present Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin since 2009.Born in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Evers received his bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Evers has been in public school... |
none | 2009 | incumbent |