Ira David Pinson (October 3, 1892 – July 21, 1939) was an American academic who became a professor of languages and philosophy, completing a Bachelor of Divinity at Yale University in 1920.

From 1915 he was a member of the teaching faculty of Morris College, becoming its third president in 1930 as it struggled to survive the Great Depression.

[1][2] James Pinson graduated from Benedict College, Yale University, and Colgate Divinity School, establishing the Shiloh Baptist Church.

Pinson was a professor at Morris College in Sumter, teaching Latin, German, Greek, and philosophy from 1915 to 1930, as well as coaching the baseball team.

[3] Pinson was a member of Omega Psi Phi and the Mt Zion Baptist Church in Sumter, and a powerful orator.