Watson, Charles Roger

Watson, Charles Roger

(1873–1948) missionary, educator; born in Cairo, Egypt. Of Scottish descent, he went to the U.S.A. in 1889 and earned his Presbyterian divinity degree at Princeton University (1899). He directed the activities of the United Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions (1902–16). He founded Cairo Christian University (1919)—later renamed the American University in Cairo. He was the school's president (1920–45). He succeeded in persuading many wealthy Americans to support the school. He retired to the U.S.A. in 1945.