Photograph
Black and white photo of Zoologist Charles Otis Whitman (1842-1910) from 1910. After graduating Bowdwin College, he was the Preceptor (Principal) of Westford Academy from 1868 to 1872. His final year was tumultuous. In October 1871, Whitman requested a leave of absence for the upcoming semester to build a natural history collection, essentially asking for what is known as a sabbatical today. The request had a mixed to positive response, with some having notable stipulations of calling for a substitute. However, Joseph Reynolds (1827-1872) objected, and even suggested Whitman resign, having disliked Whitman already. Whitman then offered his resignation to the Trustees, based on those responses. Sarah Foster White (1835-1918), Assistant Teacher (Assistant Principal), chose to resign with him. The student body subsequently wrote a letter in support of Whitman and White to the Trustees. A special special meeting of the Trustees for the matter of the resignations and some other matters subsequently occurred. The Trustees requested for the resignations be withdrawn, Whitman and White agreeing to stay.
Charles Whitman continued as Preceptor until leaving for Boston in 1872, pursuing his lifelong career in biological sciences. Sarah White stayed on until 1873. A Littleton native, she would go on to become Littleton’s first Librarian at the Reuben Hoar Library.
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