Alexander Lucius Twilight not only has one of the coolest names ever created, he was also the first Black
person in the US to get a degree from college. Born on September 23rd
1795 in Corinth, Vermont his parents were both free. His father was
mixed race and a Revolutionary War veteran.
When he was 8 he started
working on a nearby farm and until he was 20 read and learned
mathematics. From there for the next six years he completed all
secondary school courses and the first two of college level courses.
When he graduated in 1823 it wasn't even widely known that he was the
first Black to get a baccalaureate degree until someone else claimed
that they were three years later. He began a career as a teacher in
New York while studying theology and ministry.
After four years of
teaching he moved to Vermont to continue teaching during the week and
holding church services on the weekend. In 1829 he was hired as a
principal and served as a minister. He then raised money and designed
a dormitory for out of town students. In 1836 he was elected to the
Vermont General Assembly making him the first Black to be elected to
state legislature.
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