Parker, Leonard F. (Leonard Fletcher), 1825-

Parker was professor of Greek & Latin at Grinnell College from 1860-1870 and of History from 1888-1898.

Leonard Fletcher Parker was born in Arcade, New York, on August 3, 1825. He began teaching in public schools in 1841 and received the A.B. degree from Oberlin College in 1851. In 1856 he and his wife moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where he taught public school for three years. He was named professor of ancient languages at Iowa College when it opened there in 1860. Parker also served as first lieutenant in the 46th Iowa Infantry in 1864. Elected to the Iowa Legislature as chairman of the Committee on Education, he introduced a bill allowing two free scholarships to the State University of Iowa for each Iowa county. He joined the faculty in 1870 as the head of the department of Greek languages and literature. In addition to teaching Greek, he was also a professor of history and comparative philology from 1883 to 1888. Parker established the Poweshiek Historical Society and was a supporter of the State Historical Society. He died in Grinnell, Iowa, in 1911.

Leonard Fletcher Parker was born in Arcade, New York in 1825. He attended Oberlin College with the help of wealthy abolitionists and met his wife Sarah Candace Pearse there. They were married in 1853. Parker worked as a school teacher and came to Grinnell, Iowa in 1856. He taught in the local public school, supported the Underground Railroad in Iowa, and became president of Grinnell College. Parker also became an ordained Congregationalist minister, was elected to the Iowa Legislature, served in the Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry, was a professor at the State University of Iowa, and ended his professional career back at Grinnell College. He wrote a history of Poweshiek County, Iowa and died in 1911.