Great-Great Grandson of ACS founder, Visits ACS 2025

May 29, 2025 - On Thursday, May 29, the American College of Sofia had the honor of welcoming Davis Foulger, the great-great grandson of Dr. James Clarke, a key figure in our school’s early history. This special visit connected our school community with its rich heritage dating back over 160 years.

The American College of Sofia traces its origins to the year 1860-61 when American missionaries, led by Dr. James F. Clarke, established a boys’ school in Philippopolis (Plovdiv.) Three years later, the same missionaries opened a girls’ school in Eski Zagra (today's Stara Zagora.) These two schools eventually grew into what is today the American College of Sofia.

In 1871, the two schools were relocated to Samokov, where they flourished for the next half century. The teachers were primarily American missionaries. Dr. Clarke devoted his entire adult life to the schools, and he was buried in the Sofia cemetery in 1916. Funding for the schools was provided by the American Mission Boards of the Congregational Church, enabling hundreds of Bulgarian students to receive an education that led many to careers as ministers, social workers, government officials, and teachers.

The visit from Davis Foulger was a reminder of our school’s enduring mission and the founding values set forth by these early educators. We are grateful for his visit and the opportunity to celebrate our shared history.