Alice Freeman Palmer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alice Freeman Palmer (February 21, 1855 - December 6, 1902) was an American educator.

She was born Alice Elvira Freeman in Colesville, New York and brought up in Windsor, New York. She graduated at the University of Michigan in 1876, taught at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (1876-77), and at Saginaw, Mich. (1877-79).

Elected to the chair of history in Wellesley College in 1879, she became acting president the next year and president of Wellesley College in 1882. She was married to George Herbert Palmer in 1887. In 1892 she became non-resident dean of the women's department at the University of Chicago, and a spokeswoman for women's place in higher education. She died suddenly in Paris,aged 47.

Wellesley College possesses a memorial to Alice Freeman Palmer, sculptured in relief by Daniel Chester French.

In World War II the United States liberty ship SS Alice F. Palmer was named in her honor.

[edit] Publications

G. H. Palmer, The Life of Alice Freeman Palmer (Boston and New York, 1908)

[edit] References

• Bordin, R. Alice Freeman Palmer: The Evolution of a New Woman. The University of Michigan Press
• Works by Alice Freeman Palmer at Project Gutenberg