Wallace A. Battle facts for kids

Wallace Aaron Battle (1872 – 1946) was an important leader in education for African Americans in the Southern United States. He grew up on a cotton farm in Alabama. His parents, Augustus and Jeanetta (Redden) Battle, were formerly enslaved people, and Wallace was one of their 13 children. He graduated from Berea College in Kentucky in 1901. A year later, in 1902, he helped start Okolona College, which was also known as Okolona Industrial School. He kept a diary, which helps us learn about his life's work.

Early Life and Learning

Wallace Battle attended Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, from 1889 to 1898. He then went on to Berea College in Kentucky, where he earned a Master's Degree in 1909. Later, in 1933, Berea College gave him a special honorary doctorate degree to recognize his achievements.

His Work in Education

Mr. Battle was the president of Okolona College for many years. In 1927, he left that role to become a Field Secretary for the American Church Institute of the Episcopal Church. In this new job, he helped oversee nine different schools and colleges. These schools were supported by the Episcopal Church in eight different Southern States. This shows how much he helped improve education for many students.

Family Life

Wallace Battle married Effie Dean Threat on September 9, 1903. Together, they had four children.