Born: 21 February 1855, United States
Died: 6 December 1902
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
From Famous Women: An Outline of Feminine Achievement Through the Ages With Life Stories of Five Hundred Noted Women. Written by Joseph Adelman, published 1926 by Ellis M Lonow Company:
Alice Freeman Palmer, an American educator. She was elected to the chair of history in Wellesley College in 1879, and three years later became president, which position she retained till her marriage in 1887 to Prof. G. H. Palmer of Harvard University.
During her administration of Wellesley the college standard of scholarship was raised, the number of students was greatly increased, and several important buildings were added.
She took an active interest in educational and reform associations, and was prominent as a lecturer on municipal topics.
Wellesley College possesses a very beautiful memorial to her, sculptured in relief by Daniel Chester French.
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Alice Freeman was born in Colesville, New York, February 21, 1855. Her parents were farmers and her youth was passed on a farm. She was the oldest of a family of four children. When Alice was ten years old, the family moved into Windsor. Alice studied diligently and prepared to take the course in Vassar, but changed her plans, and in 1872 went to the University of Michigan, where she was graduated after a four-year course. While in Ann Arbor she organized the Students’ Christian Association, in which male and female students met on equal terms. In 1879 she was engaged as professor of history in Wellesley College. In 1881 she became acting president of that college, and in 1882 she accepted the presidency, which she filled until 1888.
She has since been a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education, trustee of Wellesley College, president of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Association, president of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, president of the Woman’s Educational Association, Massachusetts commissioner of education to the World’s Fair and member of many educational and benevolent committees. She has lectured on educational and other subjects. In 1882 the University of Michigan conferred upon her the degree of Ph. D., and in 1887 she received the degree of Doctor of Letters from Columbia College. In 1887 resigned all active duties and became the wife of Professor George Herbert Palmer, of Harvard University. She died in France in 1902. Wellesley College possesses a very beautiful memorial of her, a sculpture in relief.