Dr. Ethelbert Brinkley Norton

Creator

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Source Collection

University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, University Collection-University Portraits, Individual: Presidents, LaGrange-Present, Collier Library 

Identifier

UPI: 6.13/ UPI: 6.41/ UPI: 3.9

Description

Dr. Ethelbert Brinkley Norton was born in Jefferson County, Alabama. He was a student at Kilby Training School in 1913. Entered Birmingham-Southern College to study foreign languages and education and graduated with an A.B. degree in 1923. After graduation, Norton taught math and science at Pike Road School in Montgomery, Alabama. He became principal of Rawls School in Andalusia, Alabama, and served in this position for seven years. He became Covington County Superintendent of Education in 1934, serving in this position until 1942. This same year, he received an LL. D degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama and also an honorary Doctor of Humanities (L.H.D.) degree from Birmingham-Southern College. He also served as President of the Alabama Education Association in 1939. He then became Alabama State Superintendent of Education in 1942, serving in this position until he resigned June 15, 1946. He was appointed Director, Division of School Administration, U.S. Office of Education in 1946, becoming Deputy U.S. Commissioner of Education that same year. He served in this position until he resigned in 1948. During 1946, he, along with 26 other educators went to Japan at the request of the War Department to recommend an educational program for that nation. By July 1948, he had become the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Chief State School Officers.

*Also served as President of the Alabama Association of School Administrators as well as a member of the board of managers for the Alabama Congress of Parents and Teachers from 1934-1942.*

Date Created

1-28-2026

Date

No date

Rights

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