Parkhurst, Lewis, 1856-1949
Dates
- Existence: 1856 - 1949
Biography
Lewis Parkhurst was born on July 26, 1856, in Dunstable, Mass. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1878. While attending college he taught school in Weston, VT, Provincetown, MA and Hanover, NH. After graduation he served as the principal of several high schools in Massachusetts until he entered the textbook publishing business of Ginn and Company in 1886, becoming a partner in 1888. He stayed with Ginn and Company until his retirement in 1933. In 1915, after twice being elected an alumni trustee of Dartmouth College, he was made a life trustee. He donated Parkhurst Hall to the college in 1912, as a memorial to his son Wilder, who died in his sophomore year while a student there. As chairman of the college's budget system he guided the affairs of Dartmouth, devised the college's budget system and administered its finances. Lewis Parkhurst was also a prominent Republican leader in Massachusetts. Besides his term in the state senate in 1921-1922, he served as a representative in 1908, and as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1920. In 1935 Gov. Curley appointed him to investigate the prison system of Massachusetts with regard to prison reform. Lewis Parkhurst died on March 29, 1949 at the age of 93.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Lewis Parkhurst papers
Lewis Parkhurst (1856-1949), educator and publisher. Dartmouth College Class of 1878. The collection contains correspondence, genealogical charts and a piece of writing relating to his activity as a Dartmouth College trustee.