John Newton Templeton
John Newton Templeton (c. 1807 – July 1851) was born into slavery in about 1807,[1] and after being emancipated with his family, he received a classical education and became a teacher in a number of schools for African Americans.
Biography
[edit]John Newton Templeton was born in about 1807, into slavery. He and his family were emancipated in 1813 when their owner, Thomas Wiliamson, died. He moved with Williamson's son William, a Presbyterian minister, and Thomas Williamson's widow, Anne, to Adams County, Ohio. Anne had taught John to read and write. Templeton received a classical education.[2]
Ohio University
[edit]He was invited by the President of Ohio University to attend the college. He began in 1824 and graduated in 1828.[3] He was the fourth black[4] in the country to graduate from college and the first west of the Ohio River. He had been targeted by the American Colonization Society to become the first President of Liberia. He ultimately turned this offer down.
Templeton gave a speech at Ohio University in 1828 titled "Claims of Liberia," that is cited by writer Lawrence Ross as an early example of black student activism.[5]
Later career
[edit]Templeton dedicated his life to teaching black children and adults. He taught first in Chillicothe, Ohio, then in Virginia (West Virginia), and later in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, Templeton became the first teacher and principal of the African School in Pittsburgh, PA. It was the city's first black school.[6] Through his writings for The Mystery, he supported the anti-slavery movement.
Templeton died in Pittsburgh, PA in July 1851, leaving a widowed spouse and a young son.[7]
Play
[edit]His life is the subject of a 2004 play by Charles Smith, Free Man of Color.[8][9][10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Historic Icons | Ohio University". www.ohio.edu.
- ^ Middleton, Stephen (2006). The Black laws: race and the legal process in early Ohio. Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press. ISBN 9780821416235.
- ^ University, Ohio (February 12, 1828). "English: A commencement ticket for the 1828 Ohio University commencement exercise featuring the first African American graduate, John Newton Templeton" – via Wikimedia Commons.
- ^ "John Newton Templeton, Educator born". African American Registry.
- ^ Ross, Lawrence (2016). Blackballed: The Black and White Politics of Race on America's Campuses. St. Martin's. p. 213. ISBN 9781250079114. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Wechsler, Harold S.; Diner, Steven J. (2022). Unwelcome Guests: A History of Access to American Higher Education. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 13. ISBN 9781421441320. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Delany, Martin Robison (1852). The condition, elevation, emigration, and destiny of the colored people of the United States. Politically considered. Philadelphia. p. 126. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Finding aid for the Free Man of Color collection". ead.ohiolink.edu. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Gold, Sylviane (16 October 2009). "Tale of a Black Pioneer of the 1820s, and It Seems Familiar". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Petrillo, James (21 August 2010). "Biography done with integrity". Glendale News-Press. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Votaw, Emily (2 February 2024). "'Free Man of Color' to be presented Feb. 10 in Athens". WOUB Public Media. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
