David McConaughy (September 29, 1775 – January 29, 1852) was the fourth president of

Washington College Washington College is a private liberal arts college in Chestertown, Maryland. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782. George Washington supported the founding of the college by consenting to have the "College at Chester" name ...

from 1831 to 1852.

Early life

McConaughy was born in York County, now

Adams County, Pennsylvania Adams County is a County (United States), county in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 103,852. Its county seat is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Gettysbu ...

Education

He graduated from

Dickinson College Dickinson College is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1773 as Carlisle Grammar School, Dickinson was chartered on September 9, 1783, ...

in 1795 and went on to be the pastor of a church in

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Gettysburg (; ) is a borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the borough had a population of 7,106 people. Gettysburg was the site of ...

Career

McConaughy was elected president of Washington College on December 21, 1831. During his presidency Washington College expanded from one building to two with the construction of a new building. Also the number of graduates increased from three in 1832 to over fifty in 1849, his last year in office. McConaughy also helped organize and was appointed a Trustee of the

Washington Female Seminary The Washington Female Seminary was a Presbyterian seminary for women operating from 1836 to 1948 in Washington, Pennsylvania. During the 19th century, it was "one of the best known and most noted institutions of its kind in the state". History ...

, which was established in 1837 near the College campus. In 1847 interest in uniting the two colleges of Jefferson and Washington again arose and although no action resulted, relations between the two colleges were friendly and it appeared that "The College War" was over. McConaughy resigned as president October 12, 1849, at the age of 74.

Death

He died January 29, 1852, in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Works

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:McConaughy, David Dickinson College alumni Presidents of Washington & Jefferson College People from Adams County, Pennsylvania 1775 births 1852 deaths