Macy, Jesse, 1842-1919

Jesse Macy moved to Powesheik County, Iowa from Indiana in 1856. In 1859 he entered the academy of Iowa College at Grinnell. In 1864 he was drafted into the Union Army, serving as Quaker non-combatant with Sherman's March to the Sea. He graduated from Iowa College (later known as Grinnell) in 1870. In 1872 Macy married Mary Maude Little. From 1871 to 1885 he was principal of the Iowa College Academy. From 1885 until his retirement in 1912 he taught political science and history at Grinnell. He was an advocate of women's suffrage, rights of Blacks, Darwin's theory of evolution and peace. He was respected for his Socratic teaching style and authored many well respected publications. These publications included articles in political science journals, several editions of government textbooks for Iowa schools, and numerous books including The anti-slavery crusade (1919); Comparative free government (1915); The English constitution (1903); and Institutional beginnings in a western state (1884). James Bryce asked Macy to collaborate on a one volume abridgement of Bryce's The American Commonwealth. The couple's daughter, Katharine Macy Noyes, edited Macy's posthumously published autobiography.

Professor of political science at Grinnell College from 1879-1912 and noted author concerned with political, social, religious, and international topics.