[1] A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Scott graduated from Jefferson College in 1827 and worked as a Presbyterian minister.

[1] He was elected president of Washington College on November 10, 1852 and was inaugurated in 1853.

In 1860, he was elected president of the Maryland Agricultural College, but was unavailable to serve.

[2] By 1862, Washington College's enrollment dropped by about two-thirds, as 90 students joined the armed services to fight in the American Civil War.

He continued his career in academia by teaching at West Virginia University, where he also served as acting president 1876-1877.