Publications: Illinois School Journal,, 1884-1885

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH John Williston Cook was born April 20, 1844 in Oneida County, New York.  At the age of seven he came with his family to Illinois to settle on a farm in McLean County.  Graduating from the Illinois State Normal School in 1865, Cook accepted a position as principal of schools in Brimfield, Peoria County, Illinois.  After one year at Brimfield, Cook returned to his alma mater to become a member of the faculty.  On August 26, 1867 he married Lydia Spofford; the couple had two children, John Loring and Agnes Spofford. Over a period of thirty-three years, Cook became a recognized leader in what was known as the "normal school movement".  At Illinois State Normal School Cook taught geography, history, and reading, chaired the mathematics department for fourteen years, and ascended to the presidency of I.S.N.S. in 1890.  Tempted by opportunities offered at the newly established normal school in DeKalb, Cook resigned from his position in 1899 and accepted the presidency at Northern Illinois State Normal School. Cook's twenty years of service at Northern brought about several changes and improvements on campus.  An eminent educator and administrator, Cook organized the structure of the school, hired the faculty, established a two year curriculum, and secured the training method for teachers based on the educational philosophy of Charles A. McMurry. Cook's achievements were not confined to the administration of two growing institutions.  Cook edited the "Illinois Schoolmaster" from 1874 to 1876 and the "Illinois School Journal" from 1883 to 1886.  He also co-authored, with Nebraska Cropsey, Normal Course in Number (1892), wrote the History of Education in Illinois (1912), and contributed a number of articles on education to school periodicals.  Aside from writing Cook was an active member of the National Education Association (president, 1904-1905) and Illinois State Teacher's Association (president, 1880). Resigning from the presidency of Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1919, Cook continued to serve on the faculty until his death on July 15, 1922.