Turner, Thomas Wyatt

African American biologist, educator, and Catholic activist; professor, Howard University (1913-1924) and Hampton Institute (1924-1945).

From the description of Papers, 1918-1978. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 70939798

• 1877 March 16: Born in Hughesville, Maryland to Eli Turner and Linnie Gross.
• 1894: Graduated from St. Mary's Parochial and Industrial School, Maryland.
• 1901: Received A.B. degree, Howard University.
• 1901: Enrolled (briefly) at the Catholic University of America.
• 1901 - 02 : Taught science and mathematics at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.
• 1902 - 10; 1911 : Served as biology teacher at Colored High and Training School, Baltimore, Maryland.
• 1905: Received A.M. degree, Howard University.
• 1907: Married Laura Miller (Dec. 1934). No children.
• 1909: Became N.A.A.C.P. Secretary, and Charter Member, First Branch organized in Baltimore.
• 1910 - 11 : Taught high school in St. Louis, Missouri.
• 1913 - 20; 1921 : Professor of Applied Biology and Nature Study,Teachers' College, Howard University.
• 1917: Founded the Committee Against the Extension of Race Prejudice in the Church.
• 1918 August: Served in Maine as Field Assistant in Cytology for U.S.D.A.
• 1920 - 21 : Took sabbatical leave to work on doctorate.
• 1921: Received Ph.D in Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology, and Pomology from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
• 1918 - 20 : Served as Acting Dean of Teachers' College, Howard University.
• 1924 - 1945 : Professor, Head of Unit of Natural Sciences, Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia.
• 1925: Founded and served as first president of the Federated Colored Catholics of the United States (FCC).
• 1933: Resigned as President of, the National Catholic Federation for the Promotion of Better Race Relations (successor to FCC).
• 1936: Married Louise Wright. No children.
• 1943: Conducted study of science teaching and science education in Negro Colleges.
• 1948: Ran unsuccessfully for Hampton (Virginia) City Council.
• 1949 - 50 : Visiting Professor at Texas State University for Negroes, Houston, Texas.
• 1976: Received honorary doctor of science degree from the Catholic University of America.
• 1978: Died in Washington, DC.

From the guide to the Thomas Wyatt Turner Papers, Bulk, 1918-1978, 1894-1980, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)