[...] Laggard scholars may be gratified to learn that the man whose memory is honored in the names of two Trussville schools took a break from learning at age 16. But Robert Green Hewitt, born in 1846 near Tarrant, wasn't your usual drop-out - just a typical young man of his day and time. Hewitt left school to fight for the Confederacy. By war's end, Hewitt was a seasoned soldier, fighting in the battles of second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg and the Wilderness, where he was wounded. After the war, he returned to Alabama to start Trussville Academy. He turned down the job of Jefferson County school superintendent but agreed to serve as president of the board of education.

Students at Hewitt-Trussville High School have a special reason to be grateful to Hewitt. When Trussville built a new school, it was he who proposed that two additional classes be added so the school could be a senior high. [...]

Robert Greene HEWITT was born on 25 May 1846 in Elyton, Jefferson Co., AL. He resided in 1873 in Rockwell TX. He died in 1936 in Birmingham, AL. He was buried in Birmingham, AL. He was a Teacher; Univ Of Ala. Dictionary of Alabama Biography p806 "he received his early education at Smith's Chapel, at Massey school house, at Ruhamah Academy; he left school when he was sixteen years old and enlisted in the C.S. Army, joining Co B, Tenth Alabama Infantry, Mar 10, 1862. He served until the final surrender at Appomattox Court House, participating in the battles of Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, and Petersburg, and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. After the war, he farmed for a short time, then for four years taught school. At the end of that time, he attended the University of Alabama for a year but did not graduate. The degree of master of arts was, however, conferred upon him by the university in 1881. He taught at Rockwell, Texas 1873-1875, then returned to Alabama and taught at Trussville Academy until 1884, when he became a teacher at Guntersville for three years. He was elected tax collector for Jefferson County in 1888 and was re-elected to that office in 1892, serving in all eight years. He was elected a delegate to the State constitutional convention during the administration of Joseph F. Johnston, [in 1898, ed.] but because of the repealing of the act calling the convention, was not required to serve. Upon the recommendation of the county convention, Mr. Hewitt was appointed county superintendant of education, but declined to accept the appointment. Later he served as president of the board of education of Jefferson County. He was a Democrat; a Methodist, serving as Sunday school superintendent, steward and trustee; a Mason; and a Knight of Pythias.