Historically Black College
Alfred Oscar Coffin was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in a field of the biological sciences
"Coffin, Alfred Oscar, contracting agent Blind Boone Concert Co.; born at Pontotoc, Miss., May 14, 1861; son of Samuel and Josephine Maria(Drake) Coffin; prep. edu. Rust Univ., Holly Springs, Miss.; A. B., Fisk Univ., 1885; A. M., Illinois Weslayen Univ., 1888, Ph. D., 1889; one child; Lillian Viola. Professor in Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College, Miss., 1887-89; professor of mathematics and modern languages, Wiley Univ., Marshall, Texas, 1889-95; secretary and disbursement agent, Alcorn A & M, 1895-8; principal public schools, San Antonio, Tex., 1898-1901, Kansas City, 1902-09; advance agent for Blind Boone Concert Co., since 1910. Methodist. 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Author; 'Origin of the Moundbuilders, " 1889; 'Native Plants of Marshall, Texas,' 1896; 'A Land Without Chimneys, or the Byways of Mexico,' 1897. Address; 1704 E. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo."
Who's who of the colored race: a general biographical dictionary of men and ...
by Frank Lincoln Mather - 1915
Mr. Coffin graduated from Fisk University in 1885, and has held important positions as a teacher ever since graduating. He has also bought about $250 worth of books on one of the special courses of study established by the Illinois Wesleyan University, and so successfully complied with the requirements of the course that the result mentioned in the letter below has been reached.
Dear Sir.—Mr. A.O. Coffin has just been here for his final examination for his Ph.D., and desires me to report to you his performance.
This last work closes a series of about six examinations upon some thirty papers, requiring from three to five hours' writing on each. The examination held here was oral, before a committee of three of our faculty, and lasted nearly three hours. Mr. Coffin was probed on all sides with everything that had a bearing on his course (Biology), both as to technical and general matters, and slipped but twice in the whole ordeal. Our professors report to me that his previous written work was of the same high character. Of the forty or fifty men who have taken this degree here, within the past fifteen years (all on examination), Mr. Coffin easily stands among the half dozen who have most distinguished themselves. We were much pleased with the gentlemanliness and strength of character he displayed, and no doubt have Fisk University to thank in large measure therefor. Very Truly Yours,
The American Missionary — Volume 43, No. 06, June, 1889 by Various