John Swett

Born July 31, 1830 - Died August 22, 1913

John Swett was an American educator.

Swett was born in Pittsfield, New Hampshire on July 31st, 1830.

In 1853, Swett moved to California to mine for gold. There he met Mary Louise Tracy. The two wed on May 8th, 1862. They had eight children together. The couple met and wed in Sonoma, California. Shortly after their marriage they moved to San Francisco.

In 1863, Swett was instrumental in founding the California Educational Society. The Society eventually become the California Teachers Association, the largest teachers union in the state of California.

Also in 1863, Swett ran for and was elected as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The election occurred during the American Civil War and Swett ran as a Republican (National Union Party). During his term, which lasted until 1867, Swett fought to make the California school system free to all students. In his 1866-1867 report he stated:

"The school year ending June 30, 1867, marks the transition period of California from rate-bill common schools to an American free school system. For the first time in the history of the State, every public school was made entirely free for every child to enter."

Swett had his critics as well. In the 1878 book The Poison Fountain Zachariah Montgomery, criticized Swett's autocratic style. Montgomery pointed out, using Swett's own words, he felt teachers should not have to answer to parents regarding the education their children were receiving. The only people the teacher had to answer to was "his employer".

After Swett's time as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, he went on to be the Superintendent of the San Francisco Public Schools (holding the position twice) and principal of two different San Francisco schools. He retired in 1895.

Swett passed away on August 22nd, 1913.

Swett joined Phoenix Lodge No. 144 in San Francisco in 1862.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.