Thomas Wyatt Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Wyatt Turner
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| Born | March 16, 1877 |
| Died | April 21, 1978 (aged 101) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Howard University, Cornell University |
| Occupation | college professor, botanist |
| Known for | founding member of NAACP; founding member and president of Federated Colored Catholics |
| Spouse(s) | Laura Miller, Louise Wright |
| Parent(s) | Eli Turner and Linnie Gross (Turner) |
Thomas Wyatt Turner (born March 16, 1877 – died April 21, 1978) was an amazing American who fought for civil rights. He was also a talented biologist and a dedicated teacher. He made history as the first Black American to earn a PhD in Botany, which is the study of plants. Thomas Turner also helped start two important groups: the NAACP and the Federated Colored Catholics.
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The Life of Thomas Wyatt Turner
Early Years and School
Thomas Wyatt Turner was born in Hughesville, Maryland. His parents, Eli and Linnie, were sharecroppers, meaning they farmed land owned by someone else. Thomas was one of nine children.
When he was eight, his father passed away. Thomas then went to live with his aunt and uncle. He worked in the fields but also went to local Episcopal schools starting in 1892. This was after Catholic schools would not let him in because of his race. From 1895 to 1897, he attended the Howard University Preparatory School.
He continued his studies at Howard University. He earned his first degree in 1901 and a master's degree in 1905. In 1901, he briefly attended the Catholic University of America to learn more about science. However, he had to leave because it was too expensive.
In 1921, he earned his PhD in botany from Cornell University. This was a huge achievement! He became the first Black person to get a doctorate from Cornell. He was also the first Black person to earn a doctorate in botany from any university.
A Career of Teaching and Activism
After finishing his studies, Turner went to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He taught biology there for a year. For the next ten years, he worked in public schools in Baltimore, Maryland. He also spent a year teaching at St. Louis High School in Missouri.
In 1909, he became a founding member of the NAACP. This group works to ensure equal rights for all people. He was the first secretary of the NAACP's Baltimore branch. He worked hard to help Black people get the right to vote. He continued this important work even after he started teaching at Howard University. The NAACP later honored him with a lifetime membership.
From 1914 to 1924, he was a professor of Botany at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. He became the first head of the Botany Department when it started in 1922. He also served as the Acting Dean of Howard's School of Education. Turner believed that teachers had a big impact on students' futures.
In 1915, he started asking the Catholic University of America to accept Black students. He also pushed for the Catholic Church to offer high school education for Black Catholic children. He wanted young Black men to have a path to become priests. He later joined a group called the Committee of Fifteen to work on these issues.
While at Cornell University in 1918, Turner also worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. He examined potato fields in Maine. The American government often asked for his advice on farming problems. He helped with plant diseases in Virginia.
In 1924, Turner became a botany professor and department head at the Hampton Institute.
On December 29, 1924, Turner started a new organization called the Federated Colored Catholics. He was elected its first president. This group was created to support Black Catholics and their rights within the Church and the country.
In 1931, Turner organized the Virginia Conference of College Science Teachers. He was president of this group for two terms. He was also an active member of other science organizations.
Later Life and Legacy
Thomas Turner retired in 1945 because of an eye condition called glaucoma.
In 1976, when he was 99 years old, The Catholic University of America gave him an honorary doctorate. This was a special award to recognize his achievements.
He passed away in 1978 at the age of 101, just a few weeks after his birthday.
Personal Life
Thomas Turner was married twice. His first wife was Laura Miller. In 1936, he married Louise Wright.
He was a loyal member of the Catholic Church, even though he faced discrimination. He once wrote about being asked to move to the back of the church during Mass in St. Louis in 1926.
His Lasting Impact
Thomas Wyatt Turner's writings and life story are kept at the Moorland–Spingarn Research Center. His memoir was published in 2018.
In 1976, the National Office for Black Catholics started giving out the annual Dr. Thomas Wyatt Turner Award. This award honors people who work for equal rights.
In 1978, the Hampton Institute named its new natural sciences building Turner Hall, in his honor.
The Cornell University Graduate School created the Turner Kittrell Medal of Honor. This award recognizes alumni who have made big contributions to diversity, inclusion, and fairness. The first award was given in 2017.
