George L. Maris Collection

Collection

Identifier: 028

Staff Only

This collection contains two series.

Series 1: Administrative Papers contains correspondence and reports from between the years 1877 and 1880 during Maris’s tenure as principal.

Series 2: Samuel Martin Fund includes correspondence, applications, and announcements relating to the scholarship granted to West Chester students.

Dates

1887 - 1913

Creator

Maris, George L. , 1842-1921 (Person)

Extent

2 Boxes

Additional Description

Overview

George L. Maris (1842-1921) served as President of West Chester State Normal School from 1873-1881. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan who began his teaching career in Chester County, PA. He served as Superintendent of Chester County’s public schools until he was appointed principal at WCSNS.

This collection contains some administrative correspondence as well as annual reports submitted to the WCSNS Board of Directors. Also included are several files containing correspondence and applications for the Samuel Martin Fund, a West Chester State Normal School scholarship which Maris jointly managed with Henry P. Sharpless and William M. Hayes in the years following his stint as principal.

Biographical / Historical

George L. Maris was born in Chester County, PA in 1842. He was educated at the public schools of West Vincent Township, at West Chester Academy, and eventually at the University of Michigan, where he earned his degree in 1867. He began his career by teaching for two years in Upper Uwchlan Township, and for four years at West Chester Academy. In 1869 married Annie M. Pinkerton and was also elected Superintendent of the Public Schools of Chester County. In his new position, Maris systematized local institutes throughout the county; organized conventions of school directors for consultation; and established the office of County Superintendent of Public Schools.

In 1873, Maris succeeded William A. Chandler as Principal of West Chester State Normal School. In the summer of 1881, Maris left the Normal School to accept a professorship at Swarthmore College. He would continue his career as the Principal of the Boys' Department of the Friends' Central High School in Philadelphia and later as the first Principal of the George School in Newtown, PA.