John Williston Cook
John Williston Cook (April 20, 1844 – July 15, 1922) was a prominent educator during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the United States, specifically in Illinois. His work in education, specifically in association with the Herbartianism movement, had a lasting impact on the field at the time.
John Williston Cook | |
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Fourth President of Illinois State Normal University | |
In office 1890–1899 | |
Preceded by | Edwin C. Hewett |
Succeeded by | Arnold Tompkins |
Personal details | |
Born | Oneida County, New York | April 20, 1844
Died | July 15, 1922 78) Chicago, Illinois | (aged
Early life
Cook was born on April 20, 1844, in Oneida County, New York.[1] He moved to McLean County, Illinois, with his family in 1851.[2] He attended Illinois State Normal University prior to his time as a faculty member, graduating in 1865.[1] He taught for one year in Brimfield, Illinois, before returning to Normal and becoming the principal of the model school associated with ISNU.[2] In 1867 he became married to Lydia Spafford.[2]
Professor and university president
Illinois State University
In 1868, Cook joined the ISNU faculty as the professor of history and geography.[2] In 1869, he became the professor of reading and elocution, and in 1876 was made the professor of mathematics.[2] In 1890, Cook was appointed president of the university.[3] In 1890, ISNU became the national center of Herbartianism, a pedagogical movement of reform for education in elementary schools.[4] Cook encouraged ISNU graduates to continue their education beyond the university in order to strengthen their training as teachers, and heavily supported the faculty’s study of Herbartianism.[5] As president, Cook advocated for the construction of a gymnasium on campus, and in 1895 the Illinois legislature appropriated $40,000 for the construction of the gymnasium, later renamed John W. Cook Hall.[6] Cook was president of the university when it broke its tradition of free tuition and instituted a fee of two dollars per term starting in December of 1898.[7] Cook resigned from ISNU in 1899.[4]
Northern Illinois University
In 1899, Cook began his career at the Dekalb Normal School, which would later become Northern Illinois University.[8] He served as president of NIU from 1899 to 1919.[9] He was essential to the organization of the school, the hiring of the first faculty members, and establishing the base curriculum for students.[9]
Later life and death
Cook wrote a massive book titled Educational History of Illinois, published in 1912, which strongly featured ISNU.[10] Cook died on July 15, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois.[1]
Legacy
There is a building named after Cook on the Illinois State University Campus, John W. Cook Hall, which is used predominantly by the School of Music.[11] There is also a building on Northern Illinois University’s Campus, Williston Hall, named in his honor.[12]
References
- The Index. Normal, Illinois: Illinois State Normal University. 1923. p. 6.
- Cook, John Williston; McHugh, James (1882). "A History of the Illinois State Normal University". Illinois State University History Books: 49.
- Harper, Charles (1935). "Development of the Teachers College in the United States with Special Reference to the Illinois State Normal University". Illinois State University History Books: 171.
- Freed, John B. (2009). Educating Illinois: Illinois State University, 1857–2007. Donning Company. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-57864-536-7.
- Freed 2009, p. 152.
- Freed 2009, p. 106.
- Freed 2009, p. 139.
- Freed 2009, pp. 156–157.
- "Past Presidents". Northern Illinois University. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- Freed 2009, p. 99.
- "Cook Hall | Illinois State". Illinois State University. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- "Williston Hall". Northern Illinois University. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
External links
- John W. Cook Presidential Papers, 1862–1969 | Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives at Illinois State University
- John Cook | Milner Library – Illinois State University
- Inventory of the President's Papers at Northern Illinois University
- John Williston Cook (1844–1922) – Find A Grave Memorial
Academic offices | ||
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Preceded by Edwin C. Hewett |
President of Illinois State Normal University 1890 – 1899 |
Succeeded by Arnold Tompkins |