Rev. William Clay “W.C.” Wilkes

Rev. William Clay Wilkes, who founded what would become known as Brenau University, was born Sept. 9, 1819, in Hot Springs, North Carolina.

He attended Pleasant Grove Academy and graduated from Mercer University in 1843. He taught at or presided over a number of educational institutions including Pleasant Grove Academy, Eatonton Academy, Crawford High School and Dalton City Schools.

In 1850, he helped found and was the first president of a female college in Forsyth, Georgia, that became Tift College and eventually merged with Mercer University. 

In 1875, Wilkes came to Gainesville, Georgia, to serve as pastor of the Baptist Church. Two years later, he expressed an interest in founding a Christian school for young ladies. He raised $4,000 with assistance from local businesses.

The city of Gainesville offered Wilkes 10 acres of land in April 1878, a lot was selected and plans were drawn up to construct a brick building with 13 rooms (Wilkes Hall) and space for 200 pupils. Classes convened in September 1878 and the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary in Gainesville, Georgia, came into being with Wilkes as president.

Wilkes served as president of the institution until his death in 1886.