California Sketches

Nashville, TN: Southern Methodist Publishing House. Very Good+. 1879. 1st Edition; 1st Printing. Hardcover. This book is in Very Good+ condition and was likely issued without a dust jacket. The book and its contents are in mostly clean, bright condition. The spine ends and corners of the book covers have some light bumping , rubbing and beginning fraying. The text pages are clean and bright. There is a previous owner's name and address on the front endpaper. "Oscar Penn Fitzgerald (August 24, 1829 – August 5, 1911) was a Methodist clergyman, journalist and educator. He served as California Superintendent of Public Instruction (1867–1871) and was elected a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1890." "In 1867 Fitzgerald was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of California, serving in this position for four years. During his administration he was instrumental in the establishment of an institution that has since become the University of California, Berkeley. The State Normal School was permanently located and equipped at this time, as well. Various reforms were made in California education and great advancement was realized in the same. During this period, Fitzgerald also offered himself for the Democratic nomination for the U. S. Senate. He was also a Regent of the University of California for four years, and the Chairman of the Committee on Instruction. " (from Wikipedia) .