Archie Alphonso Alexander (14 May 1888 – 4 January 1958) was an African-American mathematician and engineer and an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa. He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Alexander was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of a janitor and coachman. He initially went to Des Moines College and attempted to join the white-only American football team there, but was declined. He subsequently transferred ...
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Archie Alphonso Alexander (14 May 1888 – 4 January 1958) was an African-American mathematician and engineer and an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa. He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Alexander was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of a janitor and coachman. He initially went to Des Moines College and attempted to join the white-only American football team there, but was declined. He subsequently transferred to the University of Iowa and was permitted to join the football team there, playing as a tackle from 1910 to 1912. After graduation, Alexander worked as a foreman for a bridge-building company before going into business for himself in 1917. He studied bridge design in London, England in 1921. In 1929, he formed Alexander & Repass where he would work until his death. They were responsible for the construction of many roads and bridges, including the Whitehurst Freeway, the Tidal Basin Bridge, and an extension to the Baltimore-Washington...
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