John Witherspoon Scott

The Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon Scott (January 22, 1800-November 29, 1892) was an American Presbyterian minister, academic and college administrator. His daughter Caroline Harrison became First Lady of the United States after her husband Benjamin Harrison was elected as president.

The son of George McElroy and Anna (Rea) Scott, John was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He received his college education at Yale University and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister.

Scott married Mary Potts Neal. His children included Caroline Harrison.

Scott was hired in the 1820s at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as its first professor of science. He was fired for his anti-slavery views during the presidency of George Junkin.

After teaching for several years in Cincinnati, Scott returned to Oxford in 1849, having been appointed as the first president of the Presbyterian Oxford Female Institute. His daughter Caroline graduated from there in 1852.

As minister, Scott presided over the wedding of his daughter to Benjamin Harrison in 1853. Dr. Scott served as president of the Oxford Female College and as a professor at Hanover College.

After his wife's death, Scott lived with President and Mrs. Harrison in the White House during their term. Both his daughter and he died there in 1892, he a month after her.