Alexander H. (Alexander Hamilton) McGuffey

Born in Ohio on August 13, 1816, Alexander Hamilton McGuffey was the younger brother of William Holmes McGuffey and became closely linked with the famous McGuffey Readers. He edited the fifth and sixth readers in the series, building on the work that had already made the books widely used in American classrooms.

Before turning fully to law, he worked as an educator and taught English literature at Woodward College in Cincinnati. Sources also describe him as secretary and treasurer of the trustees of Cincinnati College, where he played an important part in preserving the college’s library and supporting the institution through difficult years.

McGuffey died in Cincinnati on June 3, 1896. Remembered as an author, attorney, and educator, he stands as one of the figures who helped shape the reading culture of nineteenth-century America through books designed to teach both language and character.