Janney Elementary School

Bernard T. Janney, The Person

Bernard T. Janney was an educator born in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was educated at Westtown Friends School in Westtown, Pennsylvania. He began teaching in his own state and served in the Civil War from 1861 to 1864 in the northern army. He was retired as a Captain. In 1871, he was appointed teacher of grades from one through eight at Brightwood in Washington, D.C. Later he became supervisor of the Georgetown schools in the District of Columbia from 1874 to 1916.

Mr. Janney was universally known and highly esteemed throughout all of the Georgetown area. He was well respected by his peers, students, colleagues and community members. To his teachers, he was a sympathetic and generous friend. Toward young people everywhere, he maintained a spirit of comradeship.

A tall man of dignified and soldierly bearing, he was an impressive figure when he walked into a classroom. The misbehaving child was inclined to put aside all mischief when Mr. Janney was around. The children liked to have him come to visit. They were fond of Mr. Janney's beautiful bay horse, Robin, which he drove with his buggy for years. Often when the snow was deep in winter, the merry tinkling of sleighbells announced the coming of Mr. Janney. Frequently he brought with him his dog, a beautiful collie, that had been taught how to behave in a classroom.

He died January 14, 1916.

(This information was taken from an article written by Mr. R. L. Haycock, Former Superintendent of the District of Columbia Schools which was found in the Janney Archives.)

For more information on Janney's history, please see "Janney Days: Janney Days 1925-2000
A Brief History of Bernard T. Janney Elementary School "