Educational and Military Leader. He graduated from West Point in 1806 and was assigned to its faculty from 1806 to 1817, teaching mathematics and engineering, and serving as Academy Superintendent from 1814 to 1817. After being accused of lax management Partridge resigned his commission and left the Army as a Captain. He then founded the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy in Norwich, Vermont, which was renamed Norwich University in 1837. Partridge was one of the first proponents of the modern college curriculum, arguing that practical topics such as the natural sciences and mathematics were more important than the typical classical curriculum, which included Latin and ancient Greek history. Partridge was also one of America's first exercise enthusiasts and a proponent of physical training as an essential part of education. Norwich University was the first college other than West Point and the US Naval Academy to offer military training, and Partridge is regarded as one of the creators of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Partridge served as Vermont Surveyor General, helping settle US/Canadian boundaries defined by the Treaty of Ghent that had ended the War of 1812. He also served in the Vermont House of Representatives on several ocassions and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress three times. Partridge retired from Norwich University in 1848. In 1985 the US Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Educational and Military Leader. He graduated from West Point in 1806 and was assigned to its faculty from 1806 to 1817, teaching mathematics and engineering, and serving as Academy Superintendent from 1814 to 1817. After being accused of lax management Partridge resigned his commission and left the Army as a Captain. He then founded the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy in Norwich, Vermont, which was renamed Norwich University in 1837. Partridge was one of the first proponents of the modern college curriculum, arguing that practical topics such as the natural sciences and mathematics were more important than the typical classical curriculum, which included Latin and ancient Greek history. Partridge was also one of America's first exercise enthusiasts and a proponent of physical training as an essential part of education. Norwich University was the first college other than West Point and the US Naval Academy to offer military training, and Partridge is regarded as one of the creators of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Partridge served as Vermont Surveyor General, helping settle US/Canadian boundaries defined by the Treaty of Ghent that had ended the War of 1812. He also served in the Vermont House of Representatives on several ocassions and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress three times. Partridge retired from Norwich University in 1848. In 1985 the US Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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