Anson Smyth

Anson Smyth (1812 – 1887) was an American Presbyterian minister and educator from Cleveland, Ohio. He worked with Senator Harvey Rice to reform Ohio's school system, and became the "Father of the Cleveland Public Library" through his efforts in the legislature.

Biography

Anson Smyth was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, and attended Milan Academy, as well as Williams College, Massachusetts, in the class of 1839. He then started teaching for a few years, and went thereafter to Yale College, where he graduated in theology from Yale Divinity School.

He then became an early pastor and missionary in Michigan around 1845, and worked at the Congregational Church of Toledo, Ohio.

He arrived in Cleveland in 1863, and was made superintendent of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District from 1863 to 1866. He was then involved with the creation of 10 primary and secondary schools in the state during his office. In 1867, Smyth played a leading role in creating the Cleveland Public Library, mainly through his efforts in the legislature.

Smyth died in Cleveland in 1887, at 75 years old. With his wife Caroline, he had 3 children, being George, William and Sarah Smyth. He was buried at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland. His son William also became a reverend and worked at the library in Cleveland.