Nahum Leonard
Nahum Leonard | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nathum Leonard III December 11, 1876 |
| Died | September 11, 1927 (aged 50) Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Burial place | Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Bridgewater, Massachusetts |
| Education | Bridgewater State College Harvard University |
| Occupation(s) | Superintendent of Schools, principal, and educator |
| Employer(s) | Sanderson Academy North Andover Public Schools |
| Known for | Founding Kappa Delta Phi |
Nahum Leonard III (December 11, 1876 - September 11, 1927) was an American educator and one of the founders of the college fraternity Kappa Delta Phi.[1]
Early life[edit]
Leonard was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His father was Lahum Kingman Leonard, a representative in the Massachusetts legislature, high school principal, and superintendent of the State Farm.[2]
He attended Bridgewater State College in 1899, graduating in 1902.[3] While in college, he was a member of the Normal Club.[4] He was also at one time the president of the athletic association.[5] On April 14, 1900, fourteen male students met and established Kappa Delta Phi.[6] That day Leonard wrote in his diary, "Fourteen specimens of the genus homo, banded together by the sacred ties of fraternal brotherhood, met in [the] dining hall at 7:00 p.m. sharp…a number of [speeches] were made all expatiating on the desirability of perpetuating this secret band of brothers. Suffice it to be said, that an organization was effected [sic] which we hope may be as lasting as the university itself.”[3] Leonard was elected as the fraternity's secretary and later served as treasurer and vice president.[7][6][8]
Career[edit]
After graduating from college, Leonard became the principal of Sanderson Academy in Ashfield, Massachusetts, from the fall of 1907 to June 1910.[9][10] When he left Sanderson, he took to college studies at Harvard University.[11][10]
He was then associated with the Keene Normal School in Keene, New Hampshire.[12][13] In May 1921, he was hired as the Superintendent of Schools in North Andover, Massachusetts.[12] He held that position until he resigned in 1927 due to poor health.[14]
Personal life[edit]
Leonard was married and had a son.[15] He remained active in the Kappa Delta Phi fraternity and attended its annual conventions, which began at his suggestion.[13][6] He also helped established the Gamma chapter.[16] On June 21, 1902, he was chosen "Father of the Fraternity".[6] In June 1904, he served on the committee of four members that explored whether or not Kappa Delta Phi should become a national fraternity.[6]
Leonard had a summer home in Plymouth, Massachusetts.[14] He died on September 11, 1927, in Plymouth[14] from angina pectoris immediate cardio sclerosis. He was buried in the Mt. Prospect Cemetery in Bridgewater.
Honors[edit]
At its 1929 convention, Kappa Delta Phi changed the name of its scholarship fund to the Nathum Leonard Loan Fund in his honor.[17]
References[edit]
- ^ About Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity.
- ^ "Death of Capt. Nahum Leonard". The Boston Globe. 1891-01-06. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Kingsley, Orson (October 28, 2022). "Archived Scrapbooks Tell of Bridgewater Normal School's Role in Fraternity's Founding | From the Archives and Special Collections". Bridgewater State University. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ^ The..Normal Offering. Bridgewater State Normal School; 1900, p. 36
- ^ The..Normal Offering. Bridgewater State Normal School; 1900, p. 42
- ^ a b c d e Clemence, Robert E. (1950). The Golden Year of Kappa Delta PhiLibson, N.H.: The Ammonoosuc Press, p. 14. via Selections from Archives and Special Collections, Bridgewater State University.
- ^ The..Normal Offering. Bridgewater State Normal School; 1900, p. 53.
- ^ Clemence, Robert E. (1950). The Golden Year of Kappa Delta Phi. Libson, N.H.: The Ammonoosuc Press, p. 153. via Selections from Archives and Special Collections, Bridgewater State University.
- ^ "Ashfield". The Recorder. Greenfield, Massachusetts. 1909-07-24. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Sanderson Academy Principal Resigns". Boston Evening Transcript. 1910-06-28. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ashfield". The Recorder. Greenfield, Massachusetts. 1911-02-18. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Leonard School Head". Boston Post. 1921-05-17. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Dine at Boston City Club. Members of Kappa Delta Phi at Bridgewater Normal School". The Boston Globe. 1912-02-04. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Ex-Supt Nahum Leonard of North Andover Dies". The Boston Globe. 1927-09-13. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ashfield". The North Adams Transcript. Massachusetts. 1920-08-24. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-08-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Clemence, Robert E. (1950). The Golden Year of Kappa Delta Phi. Libson, N.H.: The Ammonoosuc Press, p. 85. via Selections from Archives and Special Collections, Bridgewater State University.
- ^ Clemence, Robert E. (1950). The Golden Year of Kappa Delta Phi. Libson, N.H.: The Ammonoosuc Press, p. 28 and 48. via Selections from Archives and Special Collections, Bridgewater State University.