George Washington Minns

George Washington Minns (October 6, 1813 – January 14, 1895) was an American educator. He graduated from Harvard Law School and practised law in Massachusetts for several years before moving to California. After the collapse of his law practice, Minns became an educator. He helped train teachers for San Francisco's public school system as the principal of Minns Evening Normal School, the predecessor of the California State Normal School, which, in turn, became San José State University, the founding campus of the California State University system.

Early life and education Minns was born on October 6, 1813 in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Thomas, was a publisher for a New England newspaper called The New England Palladium. As a young man, Minns was awarded a Franklin Medal, which allowed him to sit in with and learn from city officials at nearby Faneuil Hall. [better source needed] In 1831, Minns enrolled at Harvard University, however, after an incident that resulted in an explosion in a student dorm as well as frequent absences from class, he was suspended for two years, restarting his education in 1834. While at Harvard, he became lifelong friends with classmate James Russell Lowell. In 1836 he graduated from Harvard and immediately began pursuing an LL.B. degree from Dane Law School (now Harvard Law School), he graduated in 1840.

Early career and move to California A sailing card of the Winged Arrow, the clipper ship that transported Minns to California in 1854. After studying under Rufus Choate, Minns passed the Suffolk County bar exam on July 13, 1841. Minns lost his savings and closed his new practice. The normal school began operations in 1857 and became known as the Minns Evening Normal School. Classes were only held once a week, and only graduated 54 students across its existence. However, the program proved to be enough of a success for increased funding to be approved.

In 1861, after the continued success of the Evening School, superintendent Andrew J. Moulder requested that a committee be formed to create a report on the merits of fully funding a state normal school. Minns was one of several Evening School teachers appointed to the committee, which presented its report to the California State Legislator in January 1862. In May 1862, the California State Senate adopted a statue to fund an initial $3,000 (roughly $93,000 in 2024) for a state normal school and to appoint a board of trustees for the school.

After the board of trustees was formed, it was expected that Minns would be appointed principal, in line with his function at the Evening School. However, in its first meeting, the board decided to allow other applicants to apply, and ultimately chose to appoint Evening School teacher Ahira Holmes to the position.

In 1880, again at the insistence of John Swett, Minns returned to California to be the Principal of the Union Grammar School, though this time he led the Girl's section. He remained at the Union Grammar School until 1888 before retiring back to the east coast.

Minns died on January 14, 1895 at the age of 81 in Brookline, Massachusetts.