Educator. He was the first African-American to become a college president in the United States. The salutatorian of Middlebury College's class of 1849, in 1850 he began work as a professor at Pennsylvania's Avery College. He was noted for his expertise in science and mathematics, and in 1856 he became president of the institution, the first African-American in the United States to achieve such distinction. He became active in the "Back to Africa" movement and moved to Liberia in 1864. Freeman served as a professor at Liberia College and became its acting president in 1885. He was appointed president shortly before his death.
Educator. He was the first African-American to become a college president in the United States. The salutatorian of Middlebury College's class of 1849, in 1850 he began work as a professor at Pennsylvania's Avery College. He was noted for his expertise in science and mathematics, and in 1856 he became president of the institution, the first African-American in the United States to achieve such distinction. He became active in the "Back to Africa" movement and moved to Liberia in 1864. Freeman served as a professor at Liberia College and became its acting president in 1885. He was appointed president shortly before his death.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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