Robert Lee Madison

This portrait shot of Robert Lee Madison (1867 - 1954) was taken by the studio of Lindsey & Brown, South Court Place, Asheville, N.C. Madison, a native of Virginia, came to western North Carolina in 1886 to teach at a school in Quallatown. He later moved to nearby Sylva, N.C., and from January through December of 1889 he was editor of the 'Tuckaseige Democrat ' newspaper. In August 1889 Madison took a position as principal of the Cullowhee High School, in Cullowhee, N.C., while continuing as the newspaper's editor for several months. He served as principal of Cullowhee High School until 1905. In 1905 the school was renamed Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School, and Madison continued his service in the capacity of president of the institution from 1905 - 1912 and again from 1920 - 1923. The institution is now know as Western Carolina University.