Virginia Judith Craig

Virginia Judith Craig was born in Maryville, Missouri, in 1878. Virginia was unusual. She wanted to go to college. Most women did not go to college.

Virginia went to college in Springfield. She wanted to know more about English literature. She wanted to be a college teacher. She was among the first women to do this. She continued to learn and became a college teacher.

Southwest Missouri State University, or SMSU, began in 1905. Virginia Craig was one of the first teachers. She taught English. She became the head of the English and Speech department. She started a debate team. Her students won national contests.

Virginia Craig did a lot for SMSU and for Springfield. She won several awards. SMSU named Craig Hall in her honor.

Virginia Craig died in 1976. She was devoted to her students, SMSU, and Springfield.

Colleges Virginia Craig attended and the degrees she received: B.A., Drury College, Springfield; M.A., Washington University, Saint Louis; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Source: Information supplied by Julie March, Curator, The History Museum for Springfield-Greene County
Image, portrait of Virginia Craig, Courtesy of The History Museum for Springfield-Greene County
(For use in conjunction with the SMSU Campus Compact/WorldCom grant project. You must request permission from the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County to print, copy, or download this image for any other use.)