Maurice J. McDonough

The Trustees of McDonough Charity School of Charles County Maryland, Inc. is a private foundation in La Plata, MD. Maurice James McDonough was born in 1732. An immigrant from Ireland to the United States, he operated a general store. Keenly aware of illiteracy among the residents where he lived, he made it his goal to make education accessible to children in the area of what today is known as Charles County, Maryland. In his will, McDonough made provision to provide an education for needy children. A school was established from his estate, while later the proceeds from investments made it possible to provide college scholarships for students from Charles County.