William Henderson Franklin
American educator, university president
About William Henderson Franklin
Lived 1852 – 1935 (aged 83). William Henderson Franklin was an American academic administrator, head teacher and journalist.
Rev. William Henderson Franklin (1852–1935) was an American educator, minister, journalist, and school founder. Franklin dedicated his life to the education of Black children in rural Tennessee during the time of racial segregation. He founded Swift Memorial College in 1883, and served as the principal until 1926. He was the first minister the congregation at St. Marks Presbyterian Church in Rogersville, Tennessee. He was also known as W.H. Franklin. He continued his studies at Lane Theological Seminary in Walnut Hills, Ohio, and graduated with a D.D. degree in 1883. He acted as the principal from the time of the school's opening until 1926. The Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) placed Franklin in the Hall of Fame in 2020.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was William Henderson Franklin?
American educator, university president (1852–1935)
When was William Henderson Franklin born?
William Henderson Franklin was born on 14 April 1852 in Knoxville.
When did William Henderson Franklin die?
William Henderson Franklin died on 19 October 1935.
What was William Henderson Franklin's occupation?
William Henderson Franklin was an academic administrator, head teacher and journalist.
What nationality was William Henderson Franklin?
William Henderson Franklin was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: William Henderson Franklin
· DBpedia: William Henderson Franklin
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Henderson Franklin. https://biography.guide/william-henderson-franklin/
MLA: "William Henderson Franklin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-henderson-franklin/.
Chicago: "William Henderson Franklin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-henderson-franklin/.
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