William Greenough Thayer

William Greenough Thayer (December 24, 1863 – November 27, 1934) was an American educator, headmaster of St. Mark's School from 1894 to 1930. Early life Thayer was born in New Brighton, Richmond County, New York, the son of Robert Helyer Thayer, a hardware merchant and ship chandler, and Hannah Appleton. After graduating from Amherst College in 1885, he attended the Union Theological Seminary and Episcopal Theological School (Cambridge), he was ordained an Episcopal minister. Career Thayer taught at Groton School, from 1889–1894, before being appointed headmaster of St. Mark's School, a post he held for 36 years until 1930. During this period, Thayer made numerous improvements to the school and its reputation rose to be amongst the most prominent private schools in the country.