Early Black Alumni of Bowdoin College

Introduction

As is often noted, Bowdoin College played a historic role in admitting Black students. John Brown Russwurm, who transferred to Bowdoin as a junior in 1824 and received his degree in 1826 was likely only the third Black college graduate at the time. However, it would be another 84 years before Bowdoin admitted another Black student, Herman Dreer in 1906. As Lucy Ryan (Bowdoin 2019), curator of the 2019 exhibition "Tension/Tenacity: Africana Studies at 50," put it: "Following Dreer was a slow trickle of Black students—one every few years—that constituted the college’s early Black enrollment." These students were remarkable, both academically, and historically for their accomplishments. At Bowdoin, they integrated fraternities and were elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Among these graduates were the founder of the first black newspaper in the nation, founders of  historically Black colleges, administrators of American Civil Liberties Union chapters, and courageous civil rights lawyers.  See Ryan's exhibition for more information about the challenges and obstacles these students faced at Bowdoin.

This guide seeks to introduce researchers to the first Black students at Bowdoin by providing brief biographies and a list of sources for further research on each student. The guide is evolving as new sources are identified and additional alumni are added. Special thanks to John Cross for his research in support of this guide.

About the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives (SC&A) collects, preserves, and makes available unique rare books, manuscripts, historical College records, and increasingly, digital collections. Students, scholars, and all with an interest are invited to explore and learn from these world-class collections through their own research as well as our varied exhibits, instructional sessions, and public programs.