Alfred Oscar Coffin (May 14, 1861 – 1933) was a professor of mathematics and Romance language. He is best known for being the first African American to obtain a PhD in biology.
Alfred Oscar Coffin | |
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| Born | Alfred Oscar Coffin May 14, 1861 Pontotoc, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | September 6, 1933 |
| Resting place | Westlawn Cemetery Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, USA |
| Education | PhD in biology from Illinois Wesleyan University (1889) |
| Alma mater | Fisk University |
| Occupation | Professor |
Coffin earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree at Fisk University. In 1889, he earned his PhD in biology at Illinois Wesleyan University. His thesis was titled 'The Origin of the Mound Builders'.[1]
In 1887, Coffin taught at Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College for two years in Mississippi. From 1889 to 1895, he worked as a professor of mathematics and Romance language at Wiley University at Marshall, Texas.[2] He later worked as the booking agent for John William Boone.[3]
Early life
editCoffin was born May 14, 1861, in Pontotoc, Mississippi.[4]
References
edit- ^ Alfred Oscar Coffin (1889). "The Origin of the Mound Builders". Elm Street Printing Company, CINCINNATI, OHIO. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ ROBERT FIKES (18 January 2007). "ALFRED O. COFFIN (1861-?)". Blackpast.org. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ "The Talented Black Scholars Whom No White University Would Hire". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education (58): 80–85. 2007. JSTOR 25073834. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ "ALFRED OSCAR COFFIN". blackusa. BlackUSA Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016.