Alexander L. Wade (1832-1904)

Alexander L. Wade was born near Rushville, Indiana in 1932. However, Wade’s family moved to Monongalia County while Wade was still a young boy, and he was educated in the local public-school systems. At just sixteen years of age, Wade began teaching in the school system he himself had recently experienced. He maintained this position until 1861. At this point, West Virginia was becoming an independent state and Wade was elected as the first recorder of Monongalia County. For a decade, Wade was responsible for land deeds and records before being becoming principal of the public schools in Morgantown in 1871. Wade became Superintendent of Monongalia County Schools in 1875 and was reelected to this position in 1877.

In his capacity as superintendent, Wade sought to overhaul the fundamental way county schools were structured. At that time, students of all ages were taught the same material in a single classroom. Wade envisioned a system where students would complete sequential tiers of instruction. An exam at the end of each tier allowed a student to advance to the next level of instruction. Upon completing all eight tiers, students were honored in a ritualistic ceremony and bestowed with a proof of education. This system survives to us today as the grade system, graduation ceremony, and diploma familiar to all American students for the last century and a half.

After serving as superintendent, Wade returned to teaching so that he could see his new system firsthand. In the early 1880s, the educator wrote a book titled, “A Graduating System for Country Schools.” The work initially drew some ire and condemnation for Wade’s progressive ideas, though others recognized the significance of the ideology. Wade advocated for the metric system, suggested that education can and should be enjoyable, and believed that any student, regardless of gender or race, could excel in school. Over the next decade, opinion on Wade’s revolutionary work changed, and his system was implemented nationwide by 1891.

After the success of his graduating system, Wade became more involved in politics and business. He toured as a lecturer between 1881 and 1886, giving talks to educators and policymakers. In 1886, Wade became a member and later counsellor of the American Institute of Civics. He also became involved in publishing businesses. When Wade died in Richmond, Virginia on May 12, 1904, he was the primary agent for the largest publishing house in Virginia. Though records indicate that Wade was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, the exact location of his grave has not been verified.

"Alexander Wade." Morgantown Evening Post (Morgantown) May 2nd 1904. .

"Alexander Wade." Morgantown Evening Post (Morgantown) May 6th 1904.

Forbes, Harold Malcolm. Alexander Luark Wade, The West Virginia Encyclopedia. December 9th 2015. Accessed September 26, 2020. https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/881.

Mendinghall, Joseph S. Alexander Wade House, National Register of Historic Places. November 26th 1980. Accessed September 26, 2020. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/66000752_text.