Archie Alexander

Who was Archie Alexander?

Archie Alphonse Alexander was an African-American mathematician and engineer and an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa and he was the first to graduate from the University of Iowa's College of Engineering. He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Alexander was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Price and Mary Alexander. When the family moved to a farm outside Des Moines, Price became head custodian at the Des Moines National Bank, which at the time was a prestigious job for a black man Attending, Oak Park Grammar School, Oak Park High School and Highland Park College for one year, Archie began his engineering education at the State University of Iowa. "Although, he initially went to Des Moines College and attempted to join the white-only American football team there, he was declined. As a result, he played tackle from 1910 to 1912 and the nickname "Alexander the Great. " During the summer Alexander worked as a draftsman for Marsh Engineers, a Des Moines bridge-designing firm and in 1912, he received a bachelor of science degree becoming The University of Iowa's first black football player and engineer. "