1883-1894: John Edgar

Rev. Dr. John Edgar (1883-1894)

President Edgar was born on June 12, 1840 near Dublin, Ireland. His family moved to America in 1849. Edgar attended Andover Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1869. He married Elizabeth Boggs in 1870. After their marriage, Edgar became pastor of a church in New Bloomfield, Perry County, a position he held for 13 years.  He was elected President at Wilson on August 3, 1883.

During his tenure at Wilson, President Edgar worked hard to improve the College in a multitude of ways. He increased Wilson's enrollment and modified and clarified President Wylie's curriculum. He prepared plans for a new science hall, extended the College's Main Hall, and strengthened the recently created Art Department. Under his presidency, the College also became debt-free.

He was remembered fondly by students as being at the center of Wilson College life. From an administrative standpoint he was viewed as easily accessible by students, staff, and faculty alike. One alumna remembered him as: “It was popularly supposed that Dr. Edgar had eyes in the back of his head, so prompt was he at discovering our lapses from the straight and narrow path”

President Edgar died on June 5, 1894 at the age of 54.