Colin English

John Colin English (July 3, 1895 – June 3, 1986) was Florida State Superintendent of Education from 1937 until 1949.[1] He was elected to the office in 1936.[2] He campaigned for governor in 1948.[3]

John Colin English (circa 1947)

Biography

John Colin English was born July 3, 1895 in Alva, Florida.[4][5]

During his tenure as education secretary, funding was an issue during the Great Depression.[6] His tenure also included the World War II era.[7]

His 1947 campaign for governor finished third.[8] He was involved in the design of Dunbar High School.[3]

J. Colin English Elementary School in Fort Myers was named in his honor in 1929 even though at the time he thought it was a mistake.[9] He said "I didn't think it was such a good idea to name a school after a fellow who was still active", and when asked to erect the plaque in the building honoring him he refused, saying that it was the only request from the board that he did not do.[10] However, by the schools 50th anniversary he had decided that it was actually "pretty good".[9]

He married Ruth McWilliams English. She died after him June 3, 1955 aged 96, they had a son together John Colin English Jr who survived them both.[1] He died June 3, 1986 aged 90.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Obituary for Ruth Mc Williams WILLIAMS (Aged 96)". News-Press. 7 June 1995. p. 33. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. "J. Colin English, New state school head, speaks today". The Tampa Tribune. 17 November 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. https://www.news-press.com/amp/18619485
  4. "Obituary for J. COLIN ENGLISH (Aged 90)". News-Press. 6 June 1986. p. 22. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  5. Morris, Allen Covington (September 22, 1946). "The Florida Handbook, 1947-48". Peninsular publishing Company – via Google Books.
  6. "Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  7. "1942 12 14 FL scrap champs launch Liberty Ship_Orlando Sentinel". December 14, 1942. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  8. Sentinel, Orlando. "COLIN ENGLISH, WHO RAN FOR GOVERNOR IN 1948". OrlandoSentinel.com.
  9. "Ex-Educator, area school are honored". News-Press. 12 November 1979. p. 17. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  10. "School's silver anniversary reflects changes in its area". News-Press. 12 November 1979. p. 24. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.