Adelia Antoinette Field Johnston was born in Lafayett, Ohio on February 5, 1837. At age 13, in 1851, she entered the Preparatory Department of Oberlin College. She graduated from the Literary Course in 1856, and during the two years following was principal of a seminary at Mossy Grove, Tennessee. She married Oberlin classmate James M. Johnston, in 1858; he died in 1862. Mrs. Johnston taught a year at Albany, Ohio; was principal of the Kinsman academy from 1862 to 1865; and of the Scituate, Rhode Island academy from 1865-68. In 1869, she went abroad for further study. In 1870, she came to Oberlin as principal of the Woman's Department, a post she held until 1894, when she became Dean of Women (1894-1900). As Instructor (1870-90) and Professor of Medieval History (1890-1907), she was the first woman to join the college faculty. She was a member of the Woman's Board and of the Prudential Committee from 1902 until her death. Johnston received the L.B. and A.M. degrees from Hillsdale College in Michigan in 1856 and 1873 respectively. She received the honorary A.M. (1878) from Oberlin College and the honorary L.L.D. from Western Reserve (1906). She organized the Oberlin Village Improvement Society, which built parks and campaigned to beautify the town. Johnston died in Oberlin in 1910.
From the description of Papers, 1863-1911. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 27115981
