Edith Scott Magna
Edith Scott Magna | |
|---|---|
 Edith Scott Magna, from a 1920 publication | |
| 15th DAR President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution | |
| In office 1932–1935 | |
| Preceded by | Edith Irwin Hobart |
| Succeeded by | Florence Hague Becker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 15, 1885 |
| Died | October 19, 1960 (aged 74) Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Spouse | Russell William Magna |
| Education | Smith College (BA) |
Edith Scott Magna (November 15, 1885 – October 19, 1960) was an American civic leader who served as the 15th president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Early life and education
[edit]Magna was born on November 15, 1885.[1] She was the daughter of Colonel Walter Scott, a businessman and philanthropist for whom the Scott Medal was named, and Sarah Dean Campbell.[2] She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College in 1909.[1]
Music
[edit]Magna was a soprano singer who specialized in Scottish songs.[3] She also wrote songs[4] and poems.[5][6]
Clubwork
[edit]Magna was vice-president general of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in the 1920s,[7] and served as the DAR's president general from 1932 to 1935.[2] She made it official that presidents general should visit all of the states during their term, and was the first president general to travel by plane to state conferences.[8] During the Great Depression, before her presidency, she raised funds to furnish the library at Memorial Continental Hall.[9]
In 1927, a bronze plaque was installed to mark Magna's work in preserving Crafts Tavern, the old post tavern in Holyoke, Massachusetts.[7] (The tavern was demolished by 1950, but the plaque was displayed in the school that was built in its place.)[10][11] The Massachusetts chapter of the DAR funded a college scholarship in her name in 1939.[12] She commented on the honor in 1940, "Faith in our schools is faith in our youth. They need us in these serious times, even as we need them."[13]
Magna was made a knight of the Legion of Honour.[1] She was a member of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century and the Mayflower Society.[1] A building at Clarke School in Northampton was named for her.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Scott married Russell William Magna on March 28, 1910.[1][15] After being hospitalized for a month following a hip fracture, she died on October 19, 1960, in Holyoke, Massachusetts.[2][16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Tobey, Fannie Smith (April 10, 1936). "Letter from Fannie Smith Tobey (Mrs. Walter L. Tobey) to Alva Morrison, with information about Edith Scott Magna". Five College Compass.
- ^ a b c "Mrs. Edith Scott Magna". The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. October 19, 1960. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Scottish Songs as Rendered by Mrs. Edith Scott Magna, Heard at Two Very Prominent Affairs" The Caledonian 20(April 1920): 38. via Internet Archive
- ^ "Clan M'Laren Concert". Transcript-Telegram. 1920-02-17. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "D. A. R. Echoes". The Birmingham News. 1934-12-02. p. 25. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Famous Spots in the Big Woods of Maine". The Independent-Reporter. 1922-07-13. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Bronze Tablet Will Tell of Mrs. Magna's Efforts to Restore Old Tavern". Transcript-Telegram. 1927-01-31. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ VanBuren, Denise Doring (April 22, 2022). "Travels with the President General". Daughters of the American Revolution.
- ^ McNamara, Cynthia (March 6, 2024). "The DAR Library Jubilee". Daughters of the American Revolution.
- ^ "Buick: Dealership's days numbered". The Republican. 1998-06-30. p. 29. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Strahan, Derek (2019-02-26). "Crafts Tavern, Holyoke, Mass - Lost New England". Lost New England. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
- ^ "State D.A.R. Will Establish Edith Scott Magna Scholarship". The Republican. 1939-11-08. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mrs. Magna Opens D.A.R. State Convention". Transcript-Telegram. 1940-10-01. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Housekeeper is Principal in Russel Magna Will". Transcript-Telegram. 1973-03-24. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Letter to Mrs. Russell William Magna of the DAR". The American Presidency Project. April 17, 1933. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ "Magna". Transcript-Telegram. 1960-10-19. p. 38. Retrieved 2025-03-10 – via Newspapers.com.