English High School - Blue and Blue / Record Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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I In 1821, Boston, a town of some 50,000 inhabit¬ ants, felt the need to supplement its school pro¬ gram, which consisted at that time of the Latin School and several English grammar schools. Plans were laid for the founding of The English High School. A subcommittee consisting of merchants, the clergy, jurists, and journalists was appointed by the school committee to consider the subject ' of providing advanced schooling for the youth of the town. This committee presented a report which recommended the establishment of a school to be called English Classical School, with admittance attainable through suitable examination. They further stated that the course should be spread over a period of three years, with subjects includ¬ ing English, Math, and Natural Philosophy. Each subject was to be taught by a teacher who had graduated from a University. The school opened in a four-storied building on Derne Street with George Barret Emerson as head¬ master. This location suffered from the joint occu¬ pancy of Hero Engine No. 6, the town watch in the basement, and the lack of an adequate heating OUR system. Solomon P. Miles took over the duties of headmaster in 1823. Shortly after, in November of 1824, the school moved to Pinckney Street where it remained for twenty years. Upon the retirement of Mr. Miles in 1837, Thomas Sherwin became headmaster, hold¬ ing this position for forty-one years until his death in July, 1869. Under Mr. Sherwin, The English High School became widely known for its prepara¬ tory courses in math, physics, and chemistry. Per¬ haps his greatest contribution was his emphasis toward “The making of men.” Few men have so dearly left their imprint upon a school as did Mr. Sherwin. In 1844, the school was moved to occupy jointly (with the Latin School) a new building on Bed¬ ford Street. In these thirty-one years, the enroll¬ ment tripled. It is interesting to note that when the school moved into its new building on Bedford Street, the Public Garden was a barren waste. The tide flowed over the Back Bay and the site of the school

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.. AU REVOIR The ivy that entwines our school Is but a verdant sign Of the years of lessons to us taught. Oft stern yet oft benign Etched deep into our very hearts Engraved into our mind The wisdom and the teachings taught Will not be left behind Prepared to forge ahead with hope On life’s uncertain path We will not show a bit of fear But stoutly face the aftermath Our school shall e’er be with us, For us that certain tie. We thank you, dear old English Au revoir, but not goodbye. Frederick K. Berman i. -..« « ’

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HERITAGE later on Montgomery Street and Warren Avenue was an unreclaimed marsh. Mr. Charles M. Cumstan, in whose name an undergraduate scholarship is named, succeeded Mr. Sherwin as Master-in-charge in September of 1869 and remained until 1874, at which time he retired. Following Mr. Cumstan, Mr. Edwin P. Seavers, an assistant professor of mathematics at Harvard was appointed headmaster. In 1880, Francis A. Waterhouse was appointed to the headmastership and it was during his term that English moved to its fourth building located on Montgomery Street in Boston. This new build¬ ing was called the “most modern and elaborate building in the whole public school system.” En¬ rollment doubled. Upon the death of Mr. Waterhouse, Mr. Babson, a Harvard graduate, was installed as headmaster. It was during his administration that the system of heads of departments was introduced. Mr. Babson, because of ill health, resigned in 1908 to be succeeded by Mr. John F. Casey, who remained headmaster until 1915, when he was succeeded by Mr. Snow, a B. U. graduate. Before the centenary year was over, Mr. Snow was elected to Assistant Superintendent of school, thus withdrawing in favor of Mr. Walter F. Downey, who remained headmaster until 1953. In the summer,of 1953, the Boston School Com¬ mittee appointed Mr. M. Henry Mclnerney as headmaster of The English High School. The old building on Montgomery Street had been abandoned in favor of the old High School of Commerce building on Avenue Louis Pasteur, directly across the street from our traditional rival, Boston Latin. In 1956, Mr. Joseph L. Malone be¬ came headmaster. Since his appointment, many honors have been brought to the school. The Boston English High School has had a long and glorious history. Members of its faculty have given of themselves to the school as well as the entire school system. Its graduates, having trav¬ elled far and in sundry direction, have brought distinction to the Alma Mater.