Black scientist biography

African American architect and engineer (1888–1958)

Archibald Alphonso Alexander (May 14, 1888 – January 4, 1958) was an American architect and engineer. He was an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa and the first to graduate from the University of Iowa's College of Engineering.

He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Early life and education

Alexander was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Price and Mary Hamilton Alexander, part of a small African American community.^[1][2] He was the eldest of their nine children. When the family moved to a farm outside Des Moines, Price became head custodian at the Des Moines National Bank.

Alexander graduated from Oak Park High School in 1905. He then attended Highland Park College and Cummins Art College before matriculating at the State University of Iowa (later known as the University of Iowa) to study engineering.^[3] Not only was Alexander the onl 8 Amazing Black Scientists and How They Changed History SUN