William Henry Spencer facts for kids

William Henry Spencer (born September 1857 – died May 30, 1925) was an important African American teacher and school leader in Columbus, Georgia. He worked hard to improve education for Black children in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Early Life and Education

William Henry Spencer was born in September 1857 in Columbus, Georgia. His father, Henry Spencer, was a blacksmith. William grew up with his father and his seven brothers and sisters: Mary, Dora, Hattie, Ella, Leila, Lidia, and Samuel.

He went to Asbury Chapel, a public school in Columbus for African American children. After finishing school, he earned a certificate to teach in 1875. This was the start of his 50-year career in education.

Spencer began teaching in Harris County schools. Soon after, he started working for the Columbus Public Schools. He taught at the 5th Avenue School in Columbus.

Family Life

In 1879, William Henry Spencer married Martha Love. They had five children together: Ethel, Annie, Alma, Pearl, and William Henry Jr. The Spencer family lived on 4th Avenue in Columbus. Today, their home, known as the Spencer House, is a special historical place listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Career in Education

After the American Civil War ended, many schools were started in the South to educate formerly enslaved people, known as Freedmen. In Columbus, the Freedmen's Bureau helped open Claflin School in 1868.

By 1872, schools for African American students became part of the city's public school system. At that time, 1,174 African American students were attending schools in Columbus. The first school was in a rented building called Temperance Hall.

In the 1870s, more efforts were made to create schools for Black students. A. J. Ketchum became one of the first Black principals in the school system. George Foster Peabody, a kind person, gave $600 to the Black schools in Columbus. In June 1875, the school board bought a church building on Mercer Street for $800 and turned it into a school. Later, in 1888, the school's name changed to 6th Street School.

Leading Claflin School

By 1880, the school board took over Claflin School. William Henry Spencer was put in charge of Claflin School, even though he did not have a college degree. He was chosen because of his strong skills and his deep desire to educate African Americans in Columbus.

Miss Anna Love and Miss Lucy Love, who had both graduated from Columbus Public Schools, became teachers at Claflin. At one point, the number of Black students enrolled in schools (517) was higher than the number of white students (462).

In 1882, Black schools became very crowded, with 827 students enrolled. Many Black citizens asked the school board to add another year of schooling, making it a total of nine years. This request was not granted because the schools were already too full. Instead, it was suggested that another floor be added to the 6th Street School.

Supervisor of Colored Schools

As the African American population in Columbus grew, more schools were created for Black children. William Henry Spencer was named the Supervisor of Colored Schools. He also continued to be the principal at 6th Avenue School.

Spencer kept learning and improving his own education. He eventually enrolled at Clark College in Atlanta. In his new role as Supervisor, he had a lot of power over almost everything related to the education of African Americans. This included improving school buildings and hiring or firing teachers. He worked very hard to improve what was taught in the Black schools in Columbus.

A Dream for High School Education

Spencer's main goal was to convince the Columbus Public Schools to create a fully recognized high school for African Americans. Until then, the schools for Black students in Columbus only went up to the ninth grade. Parents who wanted their children to go beyond ninth grade had to send them to schools outside of Columbus, often to Atlanta.

Eventually, the school board did add one more grade. But Spencer strongly believed that a complete high school for African Americans should be built in Columbus. The board gave a promise that they would build one if they had enough money.

William Henry Spencer did not live to see his dream come true. He became sick with appendicitis and passed away on May 30, 1925. However, the school board kept its promise. In 1930, they built a fully recognized high school for African Americans on Tenth Avenue. The school was named William Henry Spencer High School in his honor.

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