Franklin College (New Athens, Ohio)

Franklin College was a college in New Athens, Ohio, founded by abolitionist John Walker, a Presbyterian minister. The college was called Alma college from 1818 until 1825, when the name was changed to Franklin College. The college ceased operation in 1919, and became associated with Muskingum College until 1927. The college building houses the Franklin Museum which showcases the span of the college and its history.Over the course of over 100 years, the college was key in the education of two governors, eight U.S. Senators, and nine U.S. Congressmen and twenty state legislators. The college also graduated Titus Basfield, an African-American student and former slave, as well as several prominent women.List of presidentsRev. William McMillan, 1825–1832Rev. Richard Campbell, 1832–1835Rev. Johnson Welsh, 1835–1836Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith, 1837–1838Rev. Jacob Coon, (pro term), 1838–1839Rev. William Burnett, 1839–1840Rev. Edwin H. Nevin, 1840–1845Rev. Dr. Alexander D. Clark, 1845–1861Rev. R. G. Campbell, 1867–1871Rev. William Asbury Williams, 1887-1901