Henry West

Who was Henry West?

Henry Skinner West was the fifth principal of Maryland State Normal School.

West was Maryland-educated and graduated from The Baltimore City College, the third oldest public high school in America, founded 1839, and a part of the Baltimore City Public Schools. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and doctor of philosophy degrees from The Johns Hopkins University both in the City of Baltimore, Maryland. West possessed had an impressive academic background, teaching at all levels from primary to college. He also served as principal of the Western High School, one of two twin all-female secondary schools in Baltimore, Maryland, the oldest in America, founded 1844 In 1917, Dr. West was appointed to serve as principal of the Maryland State Normal School, founded in 1866, then recently relocated to Towson, Maryland, the county seat in suburban Baltimore County, just north of the City. During his tenure, the M.S.N.S. faced some of its most difficult times. enrollment dropped severely due to World War I and the recruitment of millions of soldiers for duty, funding for the School was inadequate, dormitory space was insufficient, and pay scale for teachers was poor.