Thomas DeSaille Tucker facts for kids
Thomas DeSaille Tucker (born July 21, 1844 – died 1903) was a lawyer, teacher, and missionary. He was born in Africa. He became the first president of the State Normal College for Colored Students. This school later grew into Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
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Thomas Tucker's Early Life and Education
Thomas Tucker was born in Victoria, a part of British Sierra Leone. His mother was the daughter of a local chief named Harry Tucker. His father was either English or French. He went to a school run by American missionaries. These missionaries had helped people from the Amistad ship return to Africa.
When Thomas was 12, a missionary named George Thompson brought him to the United States. Two years later, Tucker started studying at Oberlin College. He earned his college degree in 1865. During his studies, he took a break in 1862. He taught at a school for freed slaves at Fortress Monroe. After graduating, he taught in schools in Georgetown, Kentucky and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Becoming a Lawyer
Tucker later studied law at Straight University in New Orleans. He earned his law degree in 1882. The next year, he became a lawyer in Florida. He started a law firm with J.D. Thompson in Pensacola, Florida.
Leading a College
In 1887, Tucker left his law practice. He was chosen to be the first president of the State Normal College for Colored Students. The school opened on October 3 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Thomas Van Renssalaer Gibbs, a member of the Florida House of Representatives, became the school's vice president. He worked closely with Tucker.
Tucker also oversaw the school's move to Tallahassee, Florida. The new campus was on land that used to be a plantation. The school also received more money thanks to a law called the Second Morrill Act.
Challenges and Changes at the College
Tucker's time as president ended because of disagreements. He had conflicts with William N. Sheats, who became the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1893. Sheats had strong beliefs about education. He supported schools for Black students. He also admired Booker T. Washington's ideas about teaching farming and industrial skills.
Tucker, however, believed in a different approach. He favored a liberal arts education. This type of education focuses on a wide range of subjects. It was designed to train public school teachers. Even though the school's name changed to the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students, Tucker did not focus enough on farming and industrial training for Sheats.
Over time, Tucker's power at the school was reduced. There were arguments about money and staff decisions. Finally, he was replaced by Nathan B. Young in 1901.
Later Life
After leaving the college, Tucker went back to practicing law. He worked in Jacksonville, Florida. He passed away in 1903. He was buried in Baltimore, Maryland.
