John Swett was an only child born July 31, 1830 in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, to Lucretia (born French) Swett and Eben Swett, who were Congregationalists.

Swett arrived in California in 1853 to mine gold but quickly sought work as a teacher in San Francisco. There is has become an advocate for the expansion of childhood educational programs, and has worked with Mayor Brannan to establish public education through 3rd grade for “all persons of good family, whatsoever their means”.

He is engaged to Mary Louise Tracy, formerly of Sonoma.

He is known for his autocratic style and harsh disciplinary measures – in a key address before the legislature he stated.

“As a general thing the only persons who have a legal right to give orders to the teacher are his employers, namely, the committee in some States, and in others the directors or trustees. If his conduct is approved by his employers the parents have no remedy as against him or them. The vulgar impression that parents have a legal right to dictate to teachers is entirely erroneous.”

This has made him beloved of politicians and (many) teachers, but the common public has taken a dim view of this approach.