Dr. William Augustus Bell was a distinguished educator, businessman, academic administrator, and university president. Born on February 16, 1862, in Elbert County, Georgia, he was the son of Luther H.A. Bell, a farmer and real estate developer, and Mary J. Thompson. From an early age, Bell was immersed in a household that valued hard work, faith, and education—principles that would guide him throughout his life.
Raised in the small city of Elberton, approximately 100 miles from Atlanta, Bell began his academic journey in local primary schools, where he demonstrated a strong intellect and a natural curiosity that distinguished him from his peers.
Bell enrolled at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, in 1897. He earned his high school diploma from Paine in 1901, demonstrating a deep commitment to learning despite the societal barriers of the time. He continued at Paine, where he received his A.B. (Bachelor of Arts) degree in 1906.
Following his undergraduate studies, Bell pursued graduate studies in various northern institutions including studying at one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, Columbia University in New York City. This experience further solidified his belief in the transformative power of education, leading him to serve as a teacher from 1906 to 1908.
From 1908 until 1912, Bell was the chair of the mathematics department at Miles Memorial College (now Miles College) and served for one year as the 11th president of the institution in 1912.
In 1913, Bell married Helen Matile Caffey of Charleston, South Carolina, raising three children. Coincidental to his marriage, Bell returned to Paine College that same year to serve as dean and as chair of the sociology and economics department. In 1919 he became secretary of the Interchurch World Movement started by the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church.
He returned to Paine College as field secretary in 1930. Between 1934 and 1936, he served as secretary of education for the Colored Memorial Episcopal Church (now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church).
Outside of academia and education, he served as president of the Solvent Investment Company in Atlanta; State Supervisor, Woodmen of Union; Inter-Racial Commission, State of Georgia; Atlanta Urban League Board Member; and Board of Trustees, Big Brother and Big Sister Federation, Inc. As a member of Sigma Pi Phi, he was distinguished as being the last Grand Sire Archon to serve a second elected term after having been chosen by lot for his first two-year term in 1937.
Bell later returned to Miles College as president, where he served until his death on January 24, 1961, in Fairfield, Alabama. It was due to accomplishments during his second presidency, that he was credited with saving the institution from bankruptcy.
Throughout his life, Dr. Bell remained deeply engaged in educational, business and religious efforts within the African American community.
The post William A. Bell (1862-1961) appeared first on BlackPast.org.