Hawley Olmstead

Biography

Hawley Olmstead spent decades in the classroom, imparting more than knowledge of letters and numbers—he taught the young people of New Haven how to live with purpose and honesty. His voice was familiar in assembly halls and academies, where he insisted on the importance of diligence, curiosity, and kindness.

He took pride in watching former pupils grow into thoughtful citizens, and he remained a visible advocate for public schools until his final years. His resting place at Grove Street Cemetery is a quiet reminder of the care he took in shaping hearts as well as minds.