- James A. MacAlister
James A. MacAlister (
April 26 ,1840 –December 11 ,1913 ) was a lawyer, school superintendent, and the first president of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry.Early life
Born in
Glasgow ,Scotland ,cite web|date=December 13 ,1913 |title=Educator Dies At Sea |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A03E3DC173DE633A25750C1A9649D946296D6CF |publisher=The New York Times |accessdate=2008-02-24] MacAlister emigrated to theU.S. state ofWisconsin in 1850 at the age of 10 with his family consisting of his mother and sisters. He graduated fromBrown University in 1856 and then went on to study law atAlbany Law School , graduating in 1864.cite book|last=McDonald |first= Edward D. |coauthors = Edward M. Hinton |title =Drexel Institute of Technology 1891 - 1941 | publisher = Haddon Craftsmen, Inc. |date=1942 |pages = pp. 31 - 53 |isbn = 1406763748] After studying law for several years MacAlister took the position of first superintendent of Milwaukee's public school system in 1874. He then went on to become regent of the Wisconsinnormal school s in 1878 following that position, MacAlister was appointed the first superintendent of the Philadelphia public school district in 1883.cite web|date=November 16 ,2005 |title=James MacAlister papers |url=http://www.library.drexel.edu/archives/collections/macalisterfindingaid.html |publisher=Drexel University Archives and Special Collections |accessdate=2008-02-24]Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry
MacAlister was appointed president of Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry in 1891, and took office on
January 1 ,1892 . At the time of his appointment Drexel was not a degree granting institute but merely a "school for the study of design and for vocational training in the most general and best sense." [cite book|last=McDonald |first= Edward D. |coauthors = Edward M. Hinton |title =Drexel Institute of Technology 1891 - 1941 | publisher = Haddon Craftsmen, Inc. |date=1942 |pages = p. 35 |isbn = 1406763748] MacAlister was chosen as president because his educational beliefs coincided with those of the Institute, including his advocation of practical and vocational training. Initially the Institute had a graduating class of 70 students however under MacAlister's long-term guidance the Institute expanded to a graduating class of over 500 by the time he resigned. MacAlister resigned onJune 13 ,1913 due to failing health and later died in December at sea on his way to Bermuda.References
External links
* [http://www.library.drexel.edu/archives/collections/macalisterfindingaid.html James MacAlister papers]
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