Adelia Antoinette Johnston

Adelia Antoinette Field Johnston (5 February 1837 – 1910) was an American educator and advocate.

Adelia Antoinette Field Johnston was born on 5 February 1837 in Lafayette, Ohio, to Leonard Field (1809-1849) and Margaret Gridley (1813-1887). Her father instilled a passion for education within her early on and was personally responsible for many of her earliest lessons. After her father's death on September 12, 1849, in Rochester, Ohio, Adelia moved to Oberlin, Ohio, with her mother and younger sister at the age of thirteen.

When she was fourteen, she taught a country summer school. She then entered the Ladies' Course at Oberlin College, graduating in 1856. 

After her graduation, Adelia accepted a teaching position at Black Oak Grove Seminary in Mossy Creek, Tennessee.

She returned to Ohio in the autumn of 1859 and married Janus M. Johnston, a graduate of Oberlin, and a teacher by profession. He died in the first year of the war, in 1861, just as he was entering active service. Adelia then became a teacher again and was for three years principal of an academy in Kinsman, Ohio. Around that time, she also studied Latin under the direction of Dr. Samuel Taylor, in Andover, Massachusetts, for a year. She then taught for three years in Scituate, Rhode Island.

In 1860, Adelia went to Germany for two years of study, giving her attention to the German language and European history. On her return to America, she became the Principal of the woman's department in Oberlin College. A year after she became Principal, she was the first woman to become an official member of the Oberlin faculty. In addition to the regular duties of her office, she taught one hour a day in the college, while continuing her historical studies. She made three additional visits to Europe and in 1890, she was granted the title of Professor of Mediaeval History, becoming the first female professor at Oberlin, and possibly the first female professor at a coeducational university in the United States. In addition, Adelia undertook fundraising efforts as Dean of Women that allowed for one of the greatest periods of building and expansion in the history of Oberlin College.

She retired in 1907, after which she focused more on the town of Oberlin, and was responsible for many city beautification projects undertaken by the Oberlin Village Improvement Society.

In 1859, Adelia married James M. Johnston, a graduate of Oberlin, and a teacher by profession. He died in 1861 and Adelia never married again and remained childless throughout her life.

Johnston died on 22 July 1910 after suffering from a series of health problems including cancer and cerebral hemorrhages. She was 72.