The Barbara Townsend Cromwell Professorship in Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness

Barbara Townsend Cromwell is a teacher and philanthropist who has championed many causes and charitable institutions, particularly those focused on education, medicine, and history.  She was born in Philadelphia and moved to Pocomoke City, Maryland, where she was raised and graduated from Pocomoke High School as class valedictorian and recipient of the Old Home Prize, given to the best all-around student.  She attended Washington College where she studied history and graduated with honors. Her love of education led her to a career in teaching elementary school in Anne Arundel County.  Many of her initial students still remain in contact with her to this day.  She also served on the board and helped to establish the kindergarten school at Saint Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church. 

Ms. Cromwell’s love of education has also led to her philanthropy.  She has been a lifelong supporter of Washington College where she served on the Board of Visitors and Governors.  In 2016, the Barbara and George Cromwell Hall opened at Washington College.  This academic facility houses the departments of anthropology and environmental science and studies.  It is also home to the Barbara and George Cromwell Center for Teaching and Learning, which supports faculty innovations through talks, workshops, and grants.  At Severn School, her late husband’s alma mater, she funded the Barbara and George ’49 Cromwell Centennial Rotunda.

Ms. Cromwell’s generous support of research at Johns Hopkins has included gifts to neonatal care and the Lyme Disease Research Center in the Division of Rheumatology.  Her gifts supported research in the Lyme Center at a critical time in its early development.  Most recently she has made possible the endowment of the Barbara Townsend Cromwell Professor in Lyme Disease and Tickborne Illness.