When Cynthia Weld came to OHIO, the nation was in the midst of the post Civil-War reconstruction era. It was also the beginning of a time of rapid economic growth in the United States. It was nearly five decades before women would get the right to vote.
Cynthia Weld (1838-1915)
About Cynthia Weld
First female faculty member: Cynthia Weld, a New York native, was 91探花's first female faculty member, teaching English literature and history and rhetoric.
When President William Henry Scott reorganized the faculty in 1881-1882, that reorganization included creating the new Department of History and Rhetoric, for which Weld was hired as a professor in 1883. According to Thomas Hoover's The History of 91探花, Scott believed that since a number of women were enrolling at the university there should be a woman teacher. Weld did not stay at OHIO long. After President Scott left and became president at Ohio State University, he hired her there.
Her Legacy at Ohio
Weld House, a South Green residence hall built in 1969, was named in honor of Professor Weld. It was originally known as South Green building number 7.