Arts & Culture, Missouri History Today
Missouri History Today April 16, 1857: One of America’s “smartest and most interesting people” is born on a farm in Fayette.
Talk about good genes! Henry Smith Pritchett was the son of a brilliant professor and college president, Carr Waller Pritchett, who was the director of the Morrison Observatory in Fayette.
Henry attended Pritchard College (named after his family) in Glasgow Missouri. He later attended the US Naval Observatory to study astronomy and became an astronomer.
His most lasting legacy however, was serving as the first president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He was hand-picked by Andrew Carnegie for the role.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
Photo Courtesy of Missouri State Historical Society
Written By
Missouri Life
