Rice, V. M. (Victor Moreau), 1818-1869

Victor Moreau Rice was born in Chautauqua County, New York, on April 5, 1818, the son of William Rice. After graduating from Allegheny College in 1841, he briefly studied law in Buffalo, New York, before he began teaching in 1843. He became Buffalo's superintendent of schools in 1852, president of the New York State Teachers' Association in 1853, and New York's first superintendent for public instruction in 1854. He also served in the state assembly and collaborated with Platt Rogers Spencer to invent the Spencerian penmanship system. Victor M. Rice died on October 17, 1869.

From the guide to the Victor Rice papers, Rice, Victor papers, 1841-1875, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)