The colored American., 1902-12-20
SECOND BAPTIST LYCEUm
Interesting Points in Obe Career
Of it's New President Lawyer
A Wendell Scott

The Second Baptist Lyceum is one OF the
best national literary societies IN the
Nations Capital. 1t has been oficered
by some of the best parliamentarians ana
the brightest young men of literary at
tainments in the city. Prof Jesse Law
son and Mr. r. w. Thompson being It's
last two presidents. The programs fur
nished for the last three or four years
have covered a wide scope and the speak
ers invited in many cases have beeh men
and women of national reputation. Inc
music rendered at this Lyceum has also
been the best, so that it has been the
center of the smart set and its attendance
has always been very large. 1t begins
this year under new auspices with a new
set of officers.
The new president Mr.. A. Wendell
Scott. A B., Ii. B., has just taken ms
seat in the new reign of office Mr..
Scott is a lawyer by profession and Will
make capital presiding officer. The
,,vceum will not only have the benefit
of his executive ability but the cooper
alton of all the old officers and its many
friends.
Mr.. Scott is the second of the number
of seven sons of Benjamin and Athalla
Scott. and was born in Wilmington, North
carolina. Early in life he began to show
4 marked aptitude for books and his
parents soon decided to give him the
benefit of liberal education. He entered
the nublic school of his native city and
Drepared himself for college. At the age
or fifteen he entered Biddle University,
,,narlotte. n. c. During his course OF
study in this institution he evidenced
marked ability as a student, scholar
and an orator In 1895 he won the junior
uatorical gold medal prize, awarded by
the alumni to the best orator Of the
class, and in 1896 ne graduated with hlgh
bonors with the degree of A. B., and was
elected class orator. During his sopho-
more wear. he and his brother. w. F.
Scott, started the publication of the VII
rnington Sentinel, he doing all the edl-
torial work while at school, with ms
brother looking after the business end IN
Wilmington. This they successfully pup
Iished for a period of three and halI
wears. In 1897 he entered the law depart
mont of Shaw University, finished the
three wears course in two years and
Graduated at the head of his class with
,,a degree of Ii. B. He successfully
nassed the bar examination before the
Sunreme Court of North Carolina, and
was admitted to practice in that state.
He Immediately entered into the active
practice of his profession at Wilmingt1 l.
and built there a large and lucrative
business He remained there until he
was compelIed to leave during the race
massacre in that city. Leaving there he
came to Washington and was admitted
TO the District bar in 1899. He remained
here until he was called to accept a
position as member Of the faculty of
Shaw University. He remained III this
position for one year and returned to
this city and entered again upon the
practice of his profession. He has built
IN a growing practice here, and is re-
garded as one of the best young criminal
LAWYERS at the District bar. He has re-
Gently been electe d president of the
Second Baptist Lyceum, one of the Oldest
and most widely known literary organl-
cations in this country.