Edwin P. Seaver

Edwin Pliny Seaver (February 24, 1838 – December 8, 1917) was an American educator who served as superintendent of Boston Public Schools from 1880 to 1904.

Early life Seaver was born on February 24, 1838, in Northborough, Massachusetts. After graduating from Bridgewater State Normal School he taught one semester in East Stoughton before accepting a position at the Friends Academy. From 1860 to 1861 he attended Phillips Exeter Academy to prepare for Harvard College.

Career After graduating in 1864, Seaver returned to the Friends Academy, but left after only a year to become a tutor in mathematics at Harvard. While serving as superintendent, Seaver also chaired the committee on industrial education and, along with George Walton, wrote a series of arithmetic texts for use in public schools. In 1904, supervisor George H. Conley was elected over Seaver 13 to 10.

Personal life

On September 10, 1872, he married Margaret Wiley Cushing of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1876 the Seavers moved from Cambridge to Roxbury. Two years later they moved to Waban, Massachusetts.

Due to his frugality and successful investments, Seaver was able to retire after leaving Boston Public Schools. He spent his later years in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he died on December 8, 1917.