Alpheus Spring Packard, Sr.
| Alpheus Spring Packard | |
|---|---|
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| Born | December 23, 1798 |
| Died | July 13, 1884 (aged 85) |
| Children |
William Alfred Packard Alpheus Spring Packard, Jr. |
Alpheus Spring Packard (December 23, 1798 – July 13, 1884) was an American who may be the longest serving faculty member to any American college through his 65 years of dedication to Bowdoin College, "in this particular I acknowledge, without reserve, my allegiance to Brunswick, Maine." (History of Bowdoin College). Trained as a minister, educator, librarian, acting President of Bowdoin College for the year 1883-4 until his death (between the Chamberlain and Hyde administration). The father of four sons and one daughter by his first wife: Alpheus Spring Packard, Jr. (1839-1905), Bowdoin class of 1861, Civil War surgeon, Entomologist who corresponded with Darwin and a Professor at Brown University with 25 publications, and William Alfred Packard (1830-1909), Bowdoin class of 1851, Charles A. Packard, Bowdoin class of 1848, a 4th son George as well as a daughter, Frances Appleton.
Professor Packard was also the son-in-law of Bowdoin College's second President, the Reverend Jesse Appleton through his first marriage to Frances Appleton (1804-1839). Alpheus Spring Packard married Mrs. C.W. McLellan after his wife's death and produced a fifth son, Robert L. Packard, who graduated from Bowdoin in 1868.
Professor Packard was also a key figure in the Maine Historical Society from its founding in 1822 until his death in 1884. He was also a prominent member of the Peucinian Society tradition.
Alpheus Spring Packard, Sr. had a long standing relationship with Bowdoin College. He graduated from the college in 1816. He remained there for the remainder of his life, firstly as a tutor (1819–24), and Professor Ancient Language and Classical Literature (1824–65). During the last two years of his life he was acting president of the college. The Bowdoin College George Mitchell Special Collections department lists thirteen publications. Among them, he edited and was joint author (with Nehemiah Cleaveland) of The History of Bowdoin College, with Biographical Sketches of its Graduates (1882); He also edited Works of the Rev. Jesse Appleton, with a memoir (1836–37); and Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates, with English Notes (1839; third edition, 1843).
To commemorate Alpheus Spring Packard Srs. 65 years of service to Bowdoin College, the Alpheus Spring Packard Gateway, stands on the parthway of College Avenue as one passed from Coles Tower towards the main quad.
Residence
The Bowdoin College Russwurm African American Center located at 6 College St. in [Brunswick, Maine] was originally built in 1827 for Professor Alpheus Spring Packard, Professor of Ancient Language and Classical Literature who in 1836 sold half to William Smyth, Professor of Mathematics. For the next 35 years the house was known as the Packard-Smyth House. The house has also been known as the Mitchell-Little house (after subsequent owners).
References
- Cleaveland, N. and A. S. Packard. History of Bowdoin College: with biographical sketches of its graduates from 1806 to 1879, inclusive. J.R. Osgood & Co., Boston (1882)
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