Susan Cobb Milton Atkinson | |
|---|---|
 Susan Milton Atkinson, in an 1896 publication. | |
| First Lady of Georgia | |
| In role October 27, 1894 – October 29, 1898 | |
| Governor | William Yates Atkinson |
| Preceded by | Martha Northen |
| Succeeded by | Eugenia Candler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Susan Cobb Milton 1860 (1860) |
| Died | 1942 (aged 81–82) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | John Milton(grandfather) |
| Alma mater | Lucy Cobb Institute |
| Occupation | Educator |
Susan Cobb Milton Atkinson (1860 — 1942) was an American educator who was influential in promoting education to women inGeorgia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As the wife ofWilliam Yates Atkinson, theGovernor of Georgia from 1894 to 1898, she used her position as the stateFirst Lady to advocate for state funding for women to attend college.[1] After her time at Georgia College, she went into the insurance business.[1] In her later life, Atkinson served as thepostmistress inNewnan—a title bestowed upon her byPresident Theodore Roosevelt himself.[2]
Susan was born inGreenwood, Florida.[3] She was the granddaughter of Florida governorJohn Milton, so Susan was exposed at a young age to the life of politics.[1]
She attended theLucy Cobb Institute for college, where she also met her husband.[1]
Susan Atkinson was encouraged by one of her friends, Julia Flisch, to help open another college for women in Georgia. In 1889, Atkinson created a petition for the state of Georgia to open a college, so her husband presented a bill to the House of Representatives that finally passed.[2] AfterMilledgeville was selected as the site for the college, it was founded in 1890 as Georgia Normal and Industrial College. The school's name was later changed to Georgia State College for Women and then finally toGeorgia College & State University.[1] When the college was founded, William was named Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Susan became the President of the Board of Visitors.[1]
Susan Cobb Milton marriedWilliam Yates Atkinson in 1880. She was widowed when William died in 1899. The Atkinsons had six children together. One of their sons, William Yates Atkinson Jr., became a justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Georgia Normal and Industrial College honored the Atkinsons by naming a building in their honor.[2] Atkinson Hall is now the building for the School of Business at Georgia College.[1]