William Henry Purnell
Encyclopedia
William Henry Purnell was the Comptroller of Maryland
from 1856–1861.
In 1846, Purnell had received a degree from Delaware College (now the University of Delaware
). Prior to his election as comptroller Purnell practice law.
Purnell was elected to office as a member of the Know-Nothing Party. He was reelected in 1860, but later quit office to take an appointment as post master of Baltimore and then served as a Union Army officer in the United States Civil War. Purnell had raised a military unit for the Union cause, known as Purnell's Legion, in Worcester County, Maryland
. Purnell resigned from the military, holding the rank of colonel, in February 1862 and resumed the position of post master of Baltimore. This resignation was endorsed by Major General John Adams Dix
.
In 1870, Purnell became the president of Delaware College. He was the first president of the institution after its revival as a Land Grant College
. Purnell was a strong supporter of co-education but after a fifteen year trial, Delaware College stopped accepting female students by a vote of the board on June 24, 1885.
At the same meeting, the board accepted Purnells resignation as college president.
Purnell married Margaret Neill Martin. They were the parents of ten children.
Comptroller of Maryland
The Comptroller of Maryland, United States, currently Peter Franchot, is the state's chief financial officer and is also elected by the people for a four year term. The comptroller is not term-limited. The office was established by the Maryland Constitution of 1851 due to concern about the...
from 1856–1861.
In 1846, Purnell had received a degree from Delaware College (now the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
). Prior to his election as comptroller Purnell practice law.
Purnell was elected to office as a member of the Know-Nothing Party. He was reelected in 1860, but later quit office to take an appointment as post master of Baltimore and then served as a Union Army officer in the United States Civil War. Purnell had raised a military unit for the Union cause, known as Purnell's Legion, in Worcester County, Maryland
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. Purnell resigned from the military, holding the rank of colonel, in February 1862 and resumed the position of post master of Baltimore. This resignation was endorsed by Major General John Adams Dix
John Adams Dix
John Adams Dix was an American politician from New York. He served as Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, and the 24th Governor of New York. He was also a Union major general during the Civil War.-Early life and career:...
.
In 1870, Purnell became the president of Delaware College. He was the first president of the institution after its revival as a Land Grant College
Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act
The Morrill Land-Grant Acts are United States statutes that allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges, including the Morrill Act of 1862 and the Morrill Act of 1890 -Passage of original bill:...
. Purnell was a strong supporter of co-education but after a fifteen year trial, Delaware College stopped accepting female students by a vote of the board on June 24, 1885.
At the same meeting, the board accepted Purnells resignation as college president.
Purnell married Margaret Neill Martin. They were the parents of ten children.