Edward Alexander Bouchet

Overview

Edward Alexander Bouchet was an African American physicist from New Haven, Connecticut. He was one of the very first African American people to earn a PhD. Growing up he had many struggles to face. For example, one of the challenges he had to face was his dad was a slave and that had a huge impact on him. He had a very good education life though. He went to one of the best schools in America. After he finished school, he was a teacher for 25 years. He taught in Philadelphia.

Early Life

Edward Alexander Bouchet was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1852. While Edward was growing up, he had some struggles. First off, his father was a slave. That gave him a lot of trouble. That didn't stop him from chasing his dreams though. He always wanted to be a scientist. He has three siblings. He is the youngest out of all of them. During the time when Edward was growing up, it was the time of segregation. There were only a few opportunities for African American children. He wanted to chase his dreams so he didn't want to get into any trouble growing up. If he did get into trouble, that would most likely effect his whole career.

Education

Edward Alexander Bouchet was a very bright student. During the time he was growing up, it was the time of segregation causing African American students to have the same opportunities as a white student. That didn't stop him though. He was the first African American to earn their PhD. He went to Yale University in 1874. Just after two years, he have earned his doctorate. After he finished university, he became a teacher for 25 years. He has been teaching in a school in Philadelphia. In the school, he taught two classes. He taught chemistry and physics. Although, when Bouchet was growing up, it was the time of segregation. Therefore, he didn't have all of the resources in the world. He just focused on his main goal and he got it.

Major Contributions

A major contribution is that Edward Alexander Bouchet was that he contributed into being a teacher. He taught chemistry and physics to the children in Philadelphia, He got his PhD in 1876 when he was in Yale University. He was the first African American person to earn their PhD.

Impact on Today's Society

Edward Alexander Bouchet was a very important and impactful person to us today. For example, he was the first African American to earn a PhD. This was impactful because it can show even through the segregation process, he still got is PhD. He is important to us because he was also a physics and a chemistry teacher. In the years he was teaching, he helped many students to achieve there study's of physics and chemistry. Therefore, Edward Alexander Bouchet was a very impactful and important person to us today.