George M. Lightfoot
American classics scholar (1868–1947)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Morton Lightfoot Sr. (December 25, 1868 – December 24, 1947)[1] was an American classics scholar, and educator.[2] He taught at Howard University from 1891 until 1939, where he served as the chair of the Department of Latin; and his former residency is named after him, the historic George M. Lightfoot House in Washington, D.C..
December 25, 1868
George M. Lightfoot | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Morton Lightfoot December 25, 1868 Culpeper, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | December 24, 1947 (aged 77) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Education | Williams College (BA), Catholic University of America (MA) |
| Spouse | Susie Fry (m. 1916–1947; his death) |
| Children | 3 |
Life and career
George Morton Lightfoot was born on December 25, 1868, in Culpeper, Virginia.[3] His parents were Letetia B. and James M. Lightfoot, his father worked as a farmer in the Blue Ridge Mountains.[1][4] He remained in Culpeper for childhood and studied under Enoch H. Grasty (Grastie), who had attended Howard University.[4] As a teenager in the Fall of 1888 he moved to Washington, D.C. to attend black public schools, and later Howard University Academy.[1][4]
He received a B.A. degree in 1891 from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts; and received a M.A. degree in 1922 in Latin from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C..[1][3]
Lightfoot became a instructor at Howard University in 1891, and in 1912, he became a Latin professor.[1][3] He served as the chair of the Department of Latin before his retirement in 1939.[1] He taught many subject including French, German, and mathematics, but he was particularly good in Classics.[4] Lightfoot organized the Howard University's Classical Club, and was a member of the American Classical League, and the Classical Association of the Atlantic States.[4]
He died at age 77 on December 24, 1947, at his home in Washington, D.C..[1][5][6]
Publications
- Lightfoot, George Morton (1922). The Question of the Origin of the Roman Satire. Dissertations and Theses, Catholic University of America. Catholic University of America.