Walter G. Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter G. Alexander
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| Born | December 3, 1880 |
| Died | February 5, 1953 |
| Occupation | physician and politician |
| Known for | first African American to serve in the New Jersey Legislature |
Walter Gilbert Alexander I (born December 3, 1880 – died February 5, 1953) was an important American doctor and politician from New Jersey. He was a member of the Republican Party. Dr. Alexander became the president of the National Medical Association. He was also the very first African American to serve in the New Jersey Legislature, which is like the state's law-making group.
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Early Life and Medical Career
Walter Alexander was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1880. His parents had been slaves. He went to public schools in Lynchburg. At just 14 years old, in 1895, he started attending Lincoln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
He graduated from Lincoln University in 1899. Then, he went to the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons. This school is now known as Tufts University School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree (M.D.) in 1903. After working as a doctor for one year in Kimball, West Virginia, he opened his own practice in Orange. He lived there for the rest of his life.
Helping Doctors and Communities
From 1906 to 1912, Dr. Alexander was the vice president of the New Jersey National Medical Association. In 1907, he helped create the North Jersey Medical Society. He was a very active member of the National Medical Association (NMA). The NMA is the oldest and largest group for African-American doctors in the United States.
He helped start the Journal of the National Medical Association in 1908. Dr. Alexander was also a founder of the Oranges and Maplewood Unit of the NAACP. This was the first NAACP group ever started in New Jersey. He served as the NMA's general secretary from 1912 to 1924, and again from 1928 to 1932. He was the NMA's president from 1925 to 1926. Later, he led their board of trustees from 1942 to 1944. In 1944, the NMA gave him a special award for his great service.
Political Journey and Achievements
Dr. Alexander became involved in politics in Essex County. In 1911, he served on the Republican County Committee. In 1912, he ran for the New Jersey General Assembly. He was part of the Progressive Party with Theodore Roosevelt. This made him the first African American in New Jersey to get official support from a major party for a legislative job.
In 1914, he tried to become a City Commissioner in Orange. He received the eleventh highest number of votes out of 54 candidates. In 1919, he ran for the Assembly again but did not win.
Making History in the Assembly
In 1920, Walter Alexander won his election to the Assembly. He was part of a group of twelve Republicans from Essex County. This group also included the first two women elected to the New Jersey Legislature: Margaret B. Laird and Jennie C. Van Ness.
In March 1921, Dr. Alexander was chosen to be the acting Speaker of the Assembly. This happened while the main Speaker, George S. Hobart, was busy with an investigation. It was the first time an African American had ever held this important role. However, an African American would not be officially elected as Speaker until 1974, when S. Howard Woodson was chosen. Dr. Alexander won re-election to the Assembly later in 1921.
He was also chosen to be an alternate delegate for the 1924 Republican National Convention. Four years later, the Republican State Committee picked him as one of seven main delegates for the 1928 Republican National Convention.
Later Life and Legacy
Dr. Alexander always stayed connected to his old university, Lincoln University. He managed their sports teams from 1920 to 1926. He was president of the General Alumni Association from 1931 to 1936. In 1936, he joined the university's Board of Trustees. In 1939, Lincoln University gave him an honorary degree called a Doctor of Humane Letters.
On October 13, 1926, Dr. Alexander and 12 other people helped start Alpha Alpha Lambda (ΑΑΛ). This was the first New Jersey chapter of the African-American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ).
He was also appointed as the president of the New Jersey Tuberculosis League. He was a member of the state Public Health Council. He served on the Committee on Health and Welfare under Governor Alfred E. Driscoll. He was also part of the medical advisory committee for the National Youth Administration.
Walter Alexander passed away in 1953 at his home in Orange. He was 72 years old. His wife, Lillian, survived him.
In 2007, Governor Jon Corzine signed a bill to remember the achievements of Dr. Alexander. The bill also honored Hutchins F. Inge, who was the first African American to serve in the New Jersey Senate.
See also
