Winfield Scott Montgomery
Class of 1878
Washington D.C. Educator and 2nd Black Phi Beta Kappa
Born enslaved in Mississippi in 1853, W. Scott Montgomery escaped with Union troops. Brought north and placed with a Vermont family, he prepared at Leland and Gray Seminary and completed studies at Dartmouth, graduating with honors in 1878. His retirement in 1924 was an occasion for a thrilling testimonial. "Dr. Montgomery in the last half-century in Washington D.C. directed the education of his Race. Befriended by Colonel Dutton of the 8th Vermont troops, brought North for a glimpse of opportunity to live with the Cathan family of Townshend, VT, graduated from Dartmouth with Phi Beta Kappa rank, for forty-two years, principal and supervising principal of colored schools, devoting himself entirely to securing equality of opportunity for colored children, and finally retired with honors. Did not the man span centuries of human progress."
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