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Charles Henry Chapman (academic)

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Charles Henry Chapman
BornJune 20, 1876
Cayuga County, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 17, 1934(1934-11-17) (aged 58)
Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Known forFounder of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
Academic background
EducationHoward University

Cornell University
Hampton University

Ohio State University
Academic work
DisciplineAgriculture
Sub-disciplineAnimal husbandry
InstitutionsJackson State College

Alabama A&M University

Florida A&M University
This article is about the academic and fraternity founder. For other uses, see Charles Chapman.

Charles Henry Chapman (June 20, 1876 – November 17, 1934) was an American academic and one of the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first Greek letter fraternity for African American men.[1][2][3] He is known for advancing agricultural education and fraternal organizations.[4]

Early life

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Chapman was born in Cayuga County, New York.[1] By 1880, he lived in Ontario, New York with his maternal grandfather, George Thompson,

He attended Howard University around 1900.[1] He enrolled at Cornell University in 1905 and studied agriculture.[1] While attending Cornell, he owned a cafe and a small brickyard.[1] Chapman also attended Hampton Institute and, later, attended Ohio State University.[1][4]

Alpha Phi Alpha

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While attending Cornell, Chapman was one of the seven founders of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity on December 4, 1906.[2][5][3] The founders are commonly referred to as Jewels.[6] During the formation of what became the Alpha chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.[7]

Chapman gave the Founders Address at the fraternity's 22nd General Convention in December 1929.[1][8] He said, "There never was a more beautiful episode in my life than the small part I played in the organization of the fraternity in 1906."[5] He helped start the fraternity's Beta Nu chapter in 1932 while he was teaching at Florida A&M University.[1][7]

When he died. Chapman became the first Jewel to enter the Omega chapter—a memorial chapter that contains the names of deceased fraternity members.[7]

Career

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Chapman entered a career in higher education as a professor of agriculture at Jackson State College and Alabama A&M University.[1][7][4] He began teaching at what is now Florida A&M University (FAMU) in 1923, becoming chair of the agriculture department in 1924.[7][1][9] He expanded the FAMU curriculumn to include animal husbandry.[1][7][4] He also developed herds of prize dairy cows.[4] He remained at FAMU until his death.[9]

Honors

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  • In 1952, Governor Fuller Warren dedicated a new dairy facility at Florida A&M University in Chapman's honor.[9][10]
  • The Beta Phi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha established the Charles Henry Chapman Memorial Garden, a community garden, in his honor.[11]

Personal life

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Chapman married Esther, a dietician with the Cleveland Public School District in Ohio.[1][4] The couple lived in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] When he secured teaching positions in the South, Esther remained in Cleveland where Chapman would visit her.[1]

In 1934 following two weeks of illness, Chapman died in the Florida A&M hospital from nephritis at the age of 64.[4][8][1] He was buried near Florida A&M.[1][8] On November 22, funeral services were held in the university's auditorium with noticeable a Alpha Phi Alpha presence.[7][8] He was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee, Florida.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Oglesby, David (2021-12-06). "Charles Henry Chapman (1876–1934) •". Black Past. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  2. ^ a b Hughey, Matthew W.; Parks, Gregory S. (2011-02-18). Black Greek-Letter Organizations 2.0: New Directions in the Study of African American Fraternities and Sororities. University Press of Mississippi. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-60473-922-0 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Taylor, Savannah M. (2022-12-04). "Happy Founders' Day: 6 Inspirational Quotes From Famous Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity". Ebony. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Chas. H. Chapman, Professor, Expires". Evening Star. 1934-11-29. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  5. ^ a b Parks, Gregory S. (2008-06-13). Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the 21st Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-3872-5 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Brooks, F. Erik; Starks, Glenn L. (2015-10-21). African American Student's Guide to College Success. ABC-CLIO. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-4408-2930-7 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Ross, Lawrence C. (2019-08-27). The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. Kensington Books. ISBN 978-1-4967-2888-3.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Jewel Charles Henry Chapman". Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Washington, D.C. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2023-07-26 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c "Gov. Warren Dedicates New FAMC Dairy". The Miami Times. 1952-02-09. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-26 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Warren Speaks at Dedication". Tallahassee Democrat. 1952-01-18. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-26 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Charles Henry Chapman Memorial Community Garden". Savannah Alphas. 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2023-07-26.

Further reading

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  • Wesley, Charles H. (1981). The History of Alpha Phi Alpha, A Development in College Life (14th ed.). Chicago: Foundation. ASIN: B000ESQ14W.
  • Mason, Herman (1999). "The Reclaimed Jewel—Charles Henry Chapman". The Talented Tenth: The Founders and Presidents of Alpha (2nd ed.). Winter Park, Florida: Four-G. ISBN 1-885066-63-5.
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