- Laura Matilda Towne
Laura Matilda Towne (born
May 3 ,1825 inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania - diedFebruary 22 ,1901 , inSt. Helena Island, South Carolina was an abolitionist and educator. She was best known for forming one of the earliestfreedmen's schools (schools for newly-freed slaves).She originally studied medicine when the
American Civil War broke out. In 1862, she answered the call for volunteers when the Union captured Port Royal and other Sea Islands area of South Carolina. In September 1862 she established the Penn School, one of the earliest freedmen's schools. She took care of the school for the rest of her life and eventually gave up practicing medicine. After her death, Penn School was transferred toHampton Institute , at which time it began operating as the Penn Normal, Industrial, and Agricultural School.ources
* [http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/lauratowne.html Laura Towne:Biography]
* [http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2200/Laura_M_Towne_was_a_primetime_educator About]
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