James H. Rice was elected as South Carolina’s fifth State Superintendent of Education from 1886 to 1890.

Rice was recognized by the French Institute for his series of educational reports and powerful language. He also was voted a bronze metal and diploma for his work for education in South Carolina.

Rice believed that every neighborhood in the state should have an exceptional elementary school and proposed an act allowing communities the right to tax themselves—at least to the point where a 10-months’ school may be provided.

Rice obtained his degree from Furman University in 1858. Not long after, he attended Harvard Law and took lectures under the prominent professor, Agassiz Horsford. Rice opened his own firm in Greenville, however, he discontinued the firm due to war in which he enlisted in Garden’s Battery and Kershaw’s brigade. Rice served two terms in the General Assembly where he distinguished himself by passing a comprehensive stock law and passing the most effective fish law in South Carolina for protecting fish.

Rice died on February 4, 1911.