Our Presidents - James G. Ryals, Jr.

James Gazaway Ryals, Jr., has the distinction of being the first president of the State Normal School. Unfortunately, his tenure was brief due to his untimely death on April 18, 1885 at the age of 30.

Born in 1855 and raised on his family farm in Bartow County, Ga., near Cartersville, Ryals was educated by his father, Dr. James G. Ryals, who ran a school for young men. Later, Ryals Jr. entered Mercer University in Macon for a two-year course, where he graduated with honors in 1877. After a year spent helping on the family farm, he returned to school, entering the University of Virginia in Fall 1879 to pursue a Master of Arts course, as well as a course in mixed mathematics. He became president in 1883. After his death in Jacksonville from a brief illness, he was buried in Macon, Ga.

We currently have no pictures of James G. Ryals, Jr. If you, or someone you know, has any images of him, please contact our Webmaster.