Edward Bouchet

Edward Alexander Bouchet became the first African American to earn a doctoral degree.

Early life
Bouchet was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1852. He graduated from Hopkins School. Bouchet earned his bachelor degree from Yale University in 1874. At the time, there were few opportunities for African Americans seeking higher education.

Public life
Bouchet is best known for becoming the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in the United States in 1876.  After getting his Ph.D. bouchet could not land a college professorship due to his race. With this accomplishment, Bouchet joined a selected group of academics.  He taught at the school for Colored Youth in Philadelphia for more than 25 years.

 Death 
Bouchet died in 1918. In 1998, Yale University honored Edward Bouchet by establishing the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society in his name, including the Bouchet Leadership Award to academics who helped advance diversity in higher education.

References

Category:1852 births
Category:1918 deaths
Category:African-American people
Category:African-American scientists
Category:American physicists
Category:Yale University alumni
Category:Academics from Pennsylvania
Category:Educators from New Haven, Connecticut
Category:Scientists from New Haven, Connecticut