Archie Alexander

Archie Alphonso Alexander (14 May, 1888–4 January, 1958) was an African-American mathematician and engineer and the first African-American graduate of the University of Iowa. He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Alexander was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of a janitor and coachman. He initially went to Des Moines College and attempted to join the white-only American football team there, but was declined. He subsequently transferred to the University of Iowa and was permitted to join the football team there, playing as a tackle from 1910 to 1912.

After graduation, Alexander worked as a foreman for a bridge-building company before going into business for himself in 1917. He studied bridge design in London, England in 1921. In 1929, he formed Alexander & Repass where he would work until his death. They were responsible for the construction of many roads and bridges, including the Whitehurst Freeway, the Tidal Basin Bridge, and an extension to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. With his business partner, George Higbee, Alexander designed the Tuskegee Airfield and the Iowa State University heating and cooling system.

In 1934, Alexander was appointed as one of a 12-member commission to investigate the social and economic conditions in Haiti. In 1946, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering by Howard University.

In 1954, Alexander was appointed Governor of the United States Virgin Islands by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was the first Republican governor there since the establishment of the civil government. His tenure at the post was short and controversial. In 1955, he was highly criticized for favoring old business partners in contracts for road building on St. Thomas. The United States House of Representatives launched a probe and he subsequently resigned on August 18 1955, ostensibly for health reasons. He died in 1958, in Iowa.

Non-recipient of the Spingarn Medal

Some sources, including Alexander's obituary in the New York Times, incorrectly credit him as winner of the NAACP's Spingarn Medal in 1928. The award went to author Charles W. Chesnutt that year; Alexander never received one.

References

*American National Biography, vol. 1, pp. 262-263.
*"Archie Alexander, Led Virgin Islands" (obituary), "New York Times", January 5, 1958
*"Ex-Governor of Virgin Islands dies in Iowa". Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Ill.: Jan 5, 1958. pg. 37, 1 pgs
*"Archie Alexander Dies". Washington, D.C.: Jan 6, 1958. pg. B2, 1 pgs
*MacTutor Biography|id=Alexander_Archie
* [http://www.nsbe.org/publicrelations/bhmonth3.php The National Society of Black Engineers]
* [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0800437.html Infoplease Archibald Alphonso Alexander]

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