George Washington Henderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Washington Henderson
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| Born | c. November 16, 1850 |
| Died | February 6, 1936 (aged 85) |
| Occupation | theologian and professor |
George Washington Henderson was an important American professor and religious leader. He was born on November 16, 1850, and passed away on February 6, 1936. He is famous for being the first Black person to join Phi Beta Kappa, a very old and respected academic honor society.
Early Life and Learning
Henderson was born into slavery in Clarke County, Virginia. After the Civil War, he moved to Underhill, Vermont. He went with a Vermont soldier, possibly Zephaniah Carpenter. When he arrived in Vermont, he could not read or write.
He went to Underhill Academy and Barre Academy. There, he received a lot of help from the principal. He earned his diploma in 1873. In 1877, he graduated first in his class from the University of Vermont. He finished his studies in just three years. This was because he worked as the principal of Jericho Academy during what would have been his third year.
In 1877, he joined Phi Beta Kappa. This made him the first Black member of this special group. He continued his education, earning a master's degree from the University of Vermont in 1880. He also earned a Bachelor's of Divinity from Yale University in 1883. He received a special scholarship and studied in Berlin, Germany. The University of Vermont gave him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1896.
His Career and Work
Henderson worked as a principal at several schools in Vermont. These included Jericho Academy, Craftsbury Academy, and Newport Graded School.
In 1883, he left Vermont and became a pastor at a church in New Orleans. In 1890, he started teaching theology at Straight University. He held this position for fourteen years. From 1904 to 1909, he was the Dean of Theology at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
After that, he moved to Xenia, Ohio. He became a professor at Wilberforce University. He taught Latin, Greek, and old literature. He worked there for the rest of his career, retiring in 1932.
Henderson was also a writer and activist. In 1894, he wrote "First Memorial Against Lynching." This was the first official protest against lynching in the United States. He also wrote about the actions of Black soldiers during the Spanish–American War. This was the only account written at that time about these soldiers. He also worked as an editor for the A.M.E. Church Review.
Family and Lasting Impact
Henderson was married twice. His first wife, Hattie Eliza Gage, worked with him at Craftsbury Academy. They married in 1884. She passed away in 1886. They had one child, Willard Atwood Henderson, who also passed away in 1886.
Henderson married Mary Virginia Harris in 1889. She was from New Orleans. George Washington Henderson passed away on February 3, 1936. He is buried in Cherry Grove Cemetery in Xenia, Ohio.
To honor his memory, the George Washington Henderson Fellowship Program was started at the University of Vermont in 2006. This program helps students continue their education.
