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Groundbreaking History Of Alexander Twilight

This is a circa 1840 photo of Alexander Twilight. Twilight was the first African-American to earn a college degree in the United
AP Photo
/
This is a circa 1840 photo of Alexander Twilight. Twilight was the first African-American to earn a college degree in the United
This is a circa 1840 photo of Alexander Twilight. Twilight was the first African-American to earn a college degree in the United

http://www.vpr.net/audio/programs/84/2013/02/2013-0218-vermontedition.mp3

Alexander Twilightwas the first African-American to receive a degree from an American college or university when he graduated from Middlebury College in 1823. He went on to be principal of the Orleans County Grammar School and the first black man to serve in a state Legislature. Monday on Vermont Edition: Alexander Twilight's remarkable story. It's more complicated than you may have heard, including questions about whether his contemporaries even knew he was not white. We explore the mystery with Middlebury College history professor Bill Hart. Professor Hart will be speaking about another influential Civil War-era Middlebury College graduate at the Sheldon Museum in March.

Also in the program, one immigration attorney's perspective on immigration reform. Burlington attorney Leslie Holman is president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which supports the principles put forth recently by a bi-partisan group of senators.

Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
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