Wallace Aaron Battle (1872 – 1946) was an educational leader for African Americans in the Southern United States. He grew up on a cotton farm in Alabama with the other 12 children of Augustus and Jeanetta (Redden) Battle, freed slaves.[1] Battle graduated from Berea College, Berea, Ky. in 1901. He helped found Okolona College in 1902, also known as Okolona Industrial School, and Okolona Normal & Industrial School. The diary he kept provides a source for his life's work.[2]

Early life and education

Battle was educated at Talladega College, Talladega, Ala., 1889-98 and graduated from Berea College with a Master's Degree in 1909. He received a honorary doctorate from Berea College, in 1933.[3]

Career

Mr. Battle resigned from the presidency of the Okolona in 1927 to become Field Secretary of the American Church Institute of the Episcopal Church. In this position, among other duties, he assisted in supervising nine schools and colleges fostered by the Episcopal Church in eight Southern States.[3]

Personal life

Battle married Effie Dean Threat on Sept 9, 1903 and had four children.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Wallace Battle Family Accepts the John G. Fee Award", Berea College Magazine, Winter 2007.
  2. ↑ "African American educator and 1901 graduate Wallace A. Battle to be honored at Berea College Founders' Day Oct. 12". Berea College. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Who's who in colored America. New York: Who's Who in Colored America Corp. 1927. OCLC 644049795.
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