George H. Atkinson

George Henry Atkinson (May 10, 1819 – February 25, 1889) was an American missionary and educator in what would become the state of Oregon. In Oregon, he served as a pastor for several churches, helped found what would become Pacific University, and pushed for legislation to create a public school system in Oregon Territory. The Massachusetts native later served as the county schools superintendent in Clackamas County and Multnomah counties.

Early life The Reverend George Atkinson was born on May 10, 1819, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. After attending Bradford Academy and Newbury Academies, he then moved to Hanover, New Hampshire. In January 1849 he then helped organize the First Congregational Society of Oregon City. He also helped to found Tualatin Academy in Forest Grove along with Tabitha Moffatt Brown and Harvey L. Clark. The school was incorporated on September 29, 1849, and Atkinson served as a trustee of the school that would later become Pacific University. He proposed that education should be at no cost to students with financial support coming through taxes, a permanent fund to provide financing should be established, control of the schools should be at the local level, the schools should allow religious freedom, and teachers should be certified to meet professional standards. Once public education laws were passed, George Atkinson became the first superintendent of schools in Clackamas County. In 1865, he moved to Portland and became the pastor of the First Congregational Church as well as school superintendent for Multnomah County.

Later life

In 1872, George Atkinson left his church to begin missionary work. By 1880 he was named as Superintendent of Missions of Congregational Churches of Oregon and Washington Territory. With this he traveled throughout the region, and is credited with coining the phrase "Inland Empire" to describe eastern regions of Oregon and Washington. In 1885, his district was split, and Atkinson remained in charge of the Oregon section until his death in Portland on February 25, 1889.