This courageous woman had a college named in her honor...
The story of Agnes Irvine Scott and the college that bears her name is one of faith, courage and independence. The college's late-19th century beginnings, rooted in the generosity, faith and progressive thinking of a small group of Presbyterians, very much reflect the values and ideals of Agnes Irvine, mother of one of the college's original founders. Irvine was born to an impoverished family in 1799.
Agnes departed her homeland in 1816 at 17 with her twice-widowed mother, leaving behind her home in Newry. Buoyed by the works of Burns, Shakespeare and the Bible, and hoping for a better life with family members, she journeyed to Alexandria, Pennsylvania. There she married John Scott, a widower with five children. Together they had seven more children. |
Agnes Irvine Scott lived long enough to see her family divided by the Civil War. One son, John Scott, became a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania. Another, George Washington Scott, became a successful businessman in Florida and Georgia. He, along with the Rev. Frank Henry Gaines and a group of Presbyterian leaders, founded an institution of higher learning for women in Decatur, Georgia, in 1889.
By helping begin the institution that eventually bore his mother's name, George Washington Scott created a dynamic memorial to a woman who valued family as well as faith and learning, first in her native Ireland and then as an immigrant mother in America. Agnes Irvine Scott's courageous life and independent spirit spanned two centuries and two cultures; they continue to serve as an inspiration for Agnes Scott College today.
Source: Agnes Scott College website
By helping begin the institution that eventually bore his mother's name, George Washington Scott created a dynamic memorial to a woman who valued family as well as faith and learning, first in her native Ireland and then as an immigrant mother in America. Agnes Irvine Scott's courageous life and independent spirit spanned two centuries and two cultures; they continue to serve as an inspiration for Agnes Scott College today.
Source: Agnes Scott College website
Women of Distinction Tour created by ATLsherpaHelping you connect with ATL's past, present and future. Stay curious and keep exploring!
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Agnes Scott College is ranked No. 1 in the country among national liberal arts colleges on the Most Innovative Schools list in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 edition of Best Colleges. Additionally, Agnes Scott is ranked first for First-Year Experience among all colleges and universities, and fourth among national liberal arts colleges for Best Undergraduate Teaching. In 2018, Agnes Scott was awarded STARS GOLD rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
American poet Robert Frost was an annual visitor at Agnes Scott from 1945 to his death in 1962. During his visits, he would read poetry in Presser Hall. A statue of the poet sculpted by George W. Lundeen sits in the alumnae gardens. A collection of Robert Frost's poetry and letters can be viewed at McCain Library.
How & Where to Connect
The best way to connect with Agnes Scott, is to visit her namesake — Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. Directions and tips for getting there are provided below.
This private college (which has a stunning campus) was established in 1889 with the mission of educating women for the betterment of their families and elevation of their region. The mission evolved to one of educating women from around the world to “think deeply, live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times.”
The institution was founded as the Decatur Female Seminary in 1889 and renamed the Agnes Scott Institute in 1890. The college was chartered as Agnes Scott College in 1906. It was the first institution of higher education in Georgia to receive regional accreditation. |
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"SCOTTDALE"
The Scott family is the namesake and builder of the Scottdale textile mills, which opened in 1901 in Decatur and closed in 1982. The mill complex was located on the west side of East Ponce de Leon Avenue, where it crosses Clarendon Avenue, in the present-day neighborhood of Scottdale. Scott Boulevard, which runs through Decatur, was also named after the Scott family. Born in Pennsylvania, George Washington Scott’s connection to Georgia dates to 1850, when he left the Northeast in his early 20s in search of a warmer climate due to ailing health. Scott spent the next year in Quincy, Fla., before moving to Tallahassee in 1852, where he opened a mercantile. When he returned to Decatur in 1877, opened a fertilizer manufacturing plant in the town of Edgewood. Source: AJC (2017) |
South Candler Street–Agnes Scott College Historic District is a historic district in Decatur, Georgia that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It includes Agnes Scott College. In 1994 it included 88 contributing buildings, two contributing structures, and a contributing object, as well as 19 non-contributing buildings and two non-contributing structures. The oldest house in the district is the Italianate C. M. Candler House (1870s) at 158 South Candler. Another old one is the George Washington Scott House (1883) at 312 South Candler Street which has a double gambrel roof and Queen Anne detailing. The oldest building on the campus is Agnes Scott Hall (1891), known also simply as "Main," a three-story, brick building designed by local architects Bruce and Morgan.
Getting there...Agnes Scott College
141 E College Avenue Decatur, GA 30030
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Don't miss...AGNES SCOTT CAMPUS
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Learn more... |
This secret tunnel goes under the Georgia Railroad and connects Church Street (south side of tracks) to the front gate of Agnes Scott College, which is on East College Avenue...