Anna Lewis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anna Lewis
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Anna Lewis as pictured in the 1926 Oklahoma College for Women yearbook
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| Born | October 25, 1885 Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
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| Died | August 1, 1961 (aged 75) Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Professor, historian, writer |
| Years active | 1917–1956 |
| Known for | American History, History of the Southwest, |
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Notable work
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Along the Arkansas (1932), Pushmataha-the American Patriot (1962) |
Anna Lewis (1885–1961) was an important teacher, historian, and writer. She loved studying American history, especially the history of the Southwest. Anna was born in what was then called Indian Territory. Her family had both Choctaw and European roots. She earned advanced degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Oklahoma. She was the very first woman to get a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.
Lewis spent her teaching career at the Oklahoma College for Women. Today, this school is known as the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). She wrote two books and many articles about her favorite topics. Anna retired in 1956 and moved to a home she built in southern Oklahoma. This area used to be part of the Choctaw Nation. She passed away in 1961.
Early Life and Education
Anna Lewis was born on October 25, 1885. Her birthplace was near Cameron in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. Her parents were William Ainsworth Lewis and Betty Ann (Moore). Anna was the fourth of ten children. Sadly, three of her siblings died when they were young.
She first learned to read and write at "subscription schools." These were schools where families paid a fee for their children to attend. She also had private teachers at home. Anna started her higher education in 1900. She attended the Tuskahoma Female Institute. Later, she went to Mary Connor Junior College in Paris, Texas.
Anna returned to Indian Territory after college. She spent a summer at the normal school of Jones Academy. This school was near Hartshorne. After that, she began teaching. She taught in public schools in Bokchito and Durant. After a few years, she decided to go back to school. She enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). In 1915, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She continued her studies at UCB. In 1918, she earned a Master of Arts degree. Her master's paper was about the history of the cattle industry in Oklahoma.
Career as a Historian
In Anna Lewis's time, many big colleges did not hire women. But in 1917, she joined the Oklahoma College for Women (OCW). This college was in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She became a history teacher there. Anna chose to stay at OCW for her entire career.
By her second year, Lewis became the head of the History Department. She also helped organize the school's records. She worked as the school Registrar. Dean James S. Buchanan from Oklahoma University helped her set up the system. Buchanan later became the President of OU.
Anna Lewis became well-known for her work. She specialized in American history and the history of the Southwest. She was a popular teacher, speaker, and writer. She wrote two books: Along the Arkansas (1932) and Pushmataha-the American Patriot (1962). She also wrote many articles. These articles appeared in magazines like Chronicles of Oklahoma and the Arkansas Historical Quarterly.
While still teaching at OCW, she went to the University of Oklahoma. She wrote her doctoral paper there. It was about the history of the Arkansas River region from 1541 to 1800. In 1930, she received her Ph.D. This made her the first woman to earn a doctoral degree from Oklahoma University.
Personal Life
Anna Lewis built her home on the land where the Tuskahoma Female Institute used to be. This was in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. She named her house "Nunih Wayah." This name comes from a Choctaw legend. It is the name of a mountain where the Choctaw tribe is said to have started.
After retiring from OCW in 1956, she lived there full-time. Her home was about 4 miles (6 km) from Tuskahoma. It was also about 6 miles (10 km) from Clayton. Anna Lewis passed away in her home on August 1, 1961.
Organizations
Anna Lewis was a member of many groups. She was part of the Baptist church and the Eastern Star. She was also a member or honorary member of:
- American Association of University Women
- American Pen Women
- Delta Kappa Gamma
- Mississippi Historical Society
- Oklahoma Historical Society
