Robert Page Sims facts for kids
Robert Page Sims (born 1872, died 1944) was an important African American leader. He was a scientist, a college president, and a champion for civil rights. He worked at colleges like Virginia University of Lynchburg and Bluefield State College.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Page Sims was born in Meyerstown, West Virginia. He grew up helping on a farm. He went to Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, graduating in 1893. Later, he studied at Hillsdale College in Michigan, finishing in 1897. He also did more advanced studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Family Life
In 1901, Robert Sims married Professor Stella James Sims. She was also a college graduate. They had six children together.
A Career in Education
Sims started his teaching career at the Virginia Seminary, which is now Virginia University of Lynchburg. There, he taught science. After that, he taught at the Douglass School in Huntington, West Virginia.
Leading Bluefield State College
Sims then became the assistant principal at Bluefield State College. He worked under President Hamilton Hatter for five years. In 1906, Robert Page Sims became the president of Bluefield State College.
Working for Civil Rights
While he was president, Sims worked closely with W.E.B. Du Bois. Du Bois was a famous leader who fought for the rights of African Americans. Sims also went to the Pan-African Congress in Europe in 1921. This was a big meeting where people discussed important issues for African people around the world.
Later Years
Robert Page Sims stepped down as president of Bluefield State College in 1936. However, he stayed involved with the school. He passed away in 1944. He was buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Bolivar, West Virginia, which is close to Harpers Ferry.
