John Finley

Class of 1881 John Finley was considered one of the greatest educators in the country during the late 1800s and early 1900s. As a student he walked to school from the country to attend Grand Ridge Grade School and OTHS. He attended Knox College and was valedictorian of his class. He then attended Johns Hopkins. A few years later he became President of Knox College serving from 1892 to 1899. He moved on to be a professor at Princeton University then President of the College of the City of New York. In 1913 he was appointed President of the University of the State of New York and New York’s Commissioner of Education. In 1921, he became Associate Editor of the New York Times, then later Editor in Chief (193738). John Finley died in 1940. He held 31 honorary degrees. He was also a noted author of several books including The Coming of the Scot. He has been honored in many ways including a walk named after him on the upper east side of Manhattan, an annual award in his name for dedicated service to the City of New York, and a plaque and a bust at Grand Ridge Grade School.