William Henry Spencer

William Henry Spencer (September 1857 – May 30, 1925) was an Afro-American educator in Columbus, Georgia, in the late 19th and early 20th century.

He was born September 1857 to Henry Spencer, a blacksmith, in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. He was raised by his father along with his sisters: Mary, Dora, Hattie, Ella, Leila and Lidia; and a brother, Samuel.

Spencer attended the Asbury Chapel, a Columbus public school designated for Afro-American children.

After graduating, he applied for and received a certificate for teaching in 1875, marking the beginning of a 50 year career in education.

Spencer began teaching in the Harris County schools. He soon found a position in the Columbus Public Schools. Spencer taught at 5th Avenue School in Columbus under Mr. Peters.

Spencer married Martha Love in 1879.

They had five children: Ethel, Annie, Alma, Pearl and William Henry Jr.

The Spencers lived on 4th Avenue in Columbus. Today, the Spencer House is on the National Register of Historic Places.

After the American Civil War ended, schools to educate the Freedman appeared throughout the south. In Columbus, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands established Claflin School in 1868.

By 1872, schools for Afro-American citizens became a part of the city school system. Columbus Public Schools had 1,174 Afro-American students attending. Julia Hampton was one of the first Afro-American teachers in the system. The first school was in rented quarters, Temperance Hall.

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