Albert Orville Wright (1842-1905) | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

Wright, Albert Orville 1842 - 1905

Clergyman, Educator, Author

Albert Orville Wright (1842-1905) | Wisconsin Historical Society
Dictionary of Wisconsin History.

Early Life

Albert Orville Wright was born in Rome, NY. He graduated from Beloit College in 1864 and served in the 40th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1867, moved to Wisconsin, and was ordained in the same year. He was pastor at Waterloo from 1867 to 1870 and at New Lisbon from 1870 until 1875. In 1875 he moved to Fox Lake, where he was a pastor from 1875 to 1877 and also served as principal of the Wisconsin Female College from 1875 to 1880.

Literary Works

The author of several books, articles and pamphlets, his most widely used textbooks were 'An Analysis and Exposition of the Constitution of Wisconsin' in 1873 and 'An Exposition of the Constitution of the United States' in 1880, both of which passed through almost 100 editions.

Service Work

He was an officer or member of numerous state and national service organizations, including the state board of normal regents, and was secretary of the Wisconsin State Board of Charities and Reform from 1880 to 1891. From 1898 until his death he was supervisor of Indian schools for the Interior Department as well as a trustee of Wisconsin Female College from 1875 until his death. 

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]