Edith Scott Magna
15th President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution
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Edith Scott Magna (November 15, 1885 – October 19, 1960) was an American civic leader who served as the 15th president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Edith Scott Magna | |
|---|---|
Edith Scott Magna, from a 1920 publication | |
| 15th DAR President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution | |
| In office 1932–1935 | |
| Preceded by | Edith Irwin Hobart |
| Succeeded by | Florence Hague Becker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 15, 1885 |
| Died | October 19, 1960 (aged 74) Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Spouse | Russell William Magna |
| Education | Smith College (BA) |
Early life and education
Magna was born on November 15, 1885.[1] She was the daughter of Colonel Walter Scott, a businessman and philanthropist for whom the Scott Medal was named, and Sarah Dean Campbell.[2] She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College in 1909.[1]
Music
Clubwork
Magna was vice-president general of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in the 1920s,[7] and served as the DAR's president general from 1932 to 1935.[2] She made it official that presidents general should visit all of the states during their term, and was the first president general to travel by plane to state conferences.[8] During the Great Depression, before her presidency, she raised funds to furnish the library at Memorial Continental Hall.[9]
In 1927, a bronze plaque was installed to mark Magna's work in preserving Crafts Tavern, the old post tavern in Holyoke, Massachusetts.[7] (The tavern was demolished by 1950, but the plaque was displayed in the school that was built in its place.)[10][11] The Massachusetts chapter of the DAR funded a college scholarship in her name in 1939.[12] She commented on the honor in 1940, "Faith in our schools is faith in our youth. They need us in these serious times, even as we need them."[13]
Magna was made a knight of the Legion of Honour.[1] She was a member of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century and the Mayflower Society.[1] A building at Clarke School in Northampton was named for her.[14]