Charles William Bardeen

Charles William Bardeen (August 28, 1847 – August 19, 1924) was an American educator and publisher. He devoted his career to improve the education system of the United States. He was the father of Charles Russell Bardeen and grandfather of two-time Nobel Prize winning physicist John Bardeen.

Early life Charles William Bardeen was born on August 28, 1847, in Groton, Massachusetts, to Mary Ann (née Farnsworth) and William T. Bardeen. His family were abolitionists. He was referred to as C.W. by the later generations of Bardeens.

Bardeen left school at the age of fourteen to enlist in the Northern Army in the American Civil War, where he signed up as a drummer boy with the 1st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. He was a poor drummer and because of that, he spent the Civil War as a fifer. He served until he mustered out in 1864.

Career After completing his graduation, Bardeen found employment as a vice-principal and teacher at the Connecticut State Normal School, and held several positions as school principal, superintendent, and college English professor until 1873. He also served as superintendent of schools in Whitehall, New York. He died in Syracuse on August 19, 1924.