# Woman of the Century/Annie Smith Peck

​PECK, Miss Annie Smith, archaeologist, educator and lecturer, born in Providence, R. I., 19th October, 1850. She is of good old New England stock, a descendant on her mother's side of Roger Williams, on her father's of Joseph Peck, who came to this country in 1638. In England the line may be traced back to the tenth century through an old Saxon family of the English gentry, B copy of whose coat-of-arms and crest may be seen in the Peck genealogy. Her home was of the rather severe New England type, but from early childhood Annie was allowed to engage in boyish Sports with her three brothers. She has always had an unusual loudness for physical exercise, with an especial love of mountain climbing, and thus preserves a healthful buoyancy of spirits not always found in those of studious habits. ANNIE SMITH PECK. She attended the public schools in Providence and was always the youngest, often the best, scholar in her class. While teaching in a high school in Michigan, the opportunities afforded to women by the Michigan University were brought to her attention. Her naturally ambitious temperament led her to seek a career which should give scope to her talents, and she determined to secure a college education similar to that received by her brothers. Resigning her position as preceptress, to prepare for college, she entered the University of Michigan without conditions the next September, having accomplished two years' work in seven months. She was graduated in 1878, second to in me in her class, having distinguished herself in every branch of study, whether literary or scientific. After graduation Miss Peck again engaged in teaching, spending two years as professor of Latin in Purdue University. In 1881 she took her master's degree, mainly for work in Greek. Going abroad in 1884. she spent several months in the study of music and German in Hanover, some months in Italy, devoting her time especially to the antiquities, and the summer in Switzerland in mountain climbing. In 1885 and 1886 she pursued the regular course of study in the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, of which Prof. Frederick D. Allen, of Harvard, was then director. She traveled extensively in Greece and visited Sicily, Troy and Constantinople. Immediately after her return home she occupied the chair of Latin in Smith College, but of late has devoted herself to public lecturing on Greek archaeology and travel, her lectures have attracted wide notice and have received hearty commendation both from distinguished scholars and from the press. In her few spare moments she is planning to write a book within the range of her archaeological studies. Her course has been strictly of her own determination, receiving but the negative approval of those from whom cordial sympathy might have been expected, except for the encouragement and assistance rendered by her oldest brother. Dr. George B. Peck, of Providence, R. I. In religion Miss Peck is a good orthodox Baptist, but has, like her renowned progenitor, broad views of life and sympathy with those of other creeds or none. In addition to her more solid acquirements, she possesses numerous and varied accomplishments, which are all characterized by skill and exactness. She is a profound classical scholar, a distinguished archæologist and an accomplished musician. Her home is still in Providence, though most of her time is spent elsewhere.