Garnet C. Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Garnet Crummell Wilkinson (January 10, 1879 – June 15, 1969) was an American educator best known for running the African American public school system in Washington, DC during segregation. At the time Washington, DC had the reputation of having the best public schools in the nation for African Americans.
, Wilkinson was the fourth child of James W. Wilkinson, a farmer by his wife, Grace. In 1902, he graduated from Oberlin College
. That year he moved to Washington, DC, where he immediately began teaching in the public schools. On May 26, 1908, Howard University
conferred the degree of Bachelor of Laws upon him. In 1916, he was appointed principal of Dunbar High School
in Washington, DC, where he served until 1921. He then became first assistant superintendent in charge of the colored schools in Washington, DC. Wilkinson served in that capacity until 1954, when he became an assistant superintendent within the integrated system.
Wilkinson lived in the LeDroit Park section of Washington, DC. He died on June 15, 1969 at the age of ninety.
Biography
Born in Summerville, South CarolinaSummerville, South Carolina
Summerville is a town in the U.S. state of South Carolina situated mostly in Dorchester County with small portions in Berkeley, and Charleston counties. It is part of the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area as designated for statistical purposes by the U.S. Office...
, Wilkinson was the fourth child of James W. Wilkinson, a farmer by his wife, Grace. In 1902, he graduated from Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
. That year he moved to Washington, DC, where he immediately began teaching in the public schools. On May 26, 1908, Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
conferred the degree of Bachelor of Laws upon him. In 1916, he was appointed principal of Dunbar High School
Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.)
Dunbar High School is a public secondary school located in Washington, D.C., United States. The school is located in the Truxton Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington, two blocks from the intersection of New Jersey and New York Avenues...
in Washington, DC, where he served until 1921. He then became first assistant superintendent in charge of the colored schools in Washington, DC. Wilkinson served in that capacity until 1954, when he became an assistant superintendent within the integrated system.
Wilkinson lived in the LeDroit Park section of Washington, DC. He died on June 15, 1969 at the age of ninety.