WILLIAM HOLMES MCGUFFEY America’s schoolmaster

Born in 1800 near Claysville, Pa.

Grew up in Coitsville Township, Mahoning County.
Wrote his first McGuffey Eclectic Reader while a professor at Miami University of Ohio between 1826 and 1836.

The McGuffey Reader had more than 122 million copies printed and served as the primary reading book in American schools for decades.

Ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in 1829.

Served as president of Cincinnati College, Ohio University and Woodward College.

Died in 1873 and buried in Charlottesville, Va.

National historical marker placed at the Coitsville family homestead in 1966.