Born in Pennsylvania in 1800, McGuffey lived in Coitsville as a boy, and taught in Ohio frontier

Born in Pennsylvania in 1800, McGuffey lived in Coitsville as a boy, and taught in Ohio frontier schools beginning at age 13. Here are some other highlights of his life:

Spent 10 years on the faculty of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, beginning in 1826, taking great interest in public education and assisting local elementary school teachers.

Published six readers between 1836 and 1857, whose use became nearly universal in expanding common schools in the Midwest and South.

Served as president of Cincinnati College from 1836 to 1839 and of Ohio University in Athens from 1839 to 1843.

Elected chairman of mental and moral philosophy at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1845 — a position he held until his death in 1873.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica