Henry Skinner West

Henry Skinner West (December 23, 1870 – April 9, 1961) was the fifth principal of Maryland State Normal School (now Towson University).

Early life Henry Skinner West was born on December 23, 1870, in Baltimore. He attended schools in Maryland. He graduated from both the Baltimore City College and the University of Maryland in 1890. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1893 and a PhD in 1899 from Johns Hopkins University.

Career From 1890 to 1891, West taught at a Baltimore elementary school. He then worked as a professor at Baltimore City College from 1894 to 1897 and again in 1900. He was an instructor at Johns Hopkins University from 1899 to 1900. West was the special assistant superintendent for schools in Baltimore from 1906 to 1911. He then worked for Johns Hopkins summer schools for teachers from 1911 to 1915.

In 1917, Dr. West was appointed as principal of the Maryland State Normal School (now Towson University). During his tenure, enrollment at the school dropped severely due to World War I and funding and dormity space for the school was inadequate and the teachers were poorly paid.

Personal life West married Anne Brown Downman on November 17, 1900. They had two sons and one daughter, Henry D., Julian S. and Harriet.

West died on April 9, 1961, at his home in Evanston, Illinois.

Legacy In 1955, the Henry S. West Laboratory School was named in his honor.