Edward P. Alexander
Encyclopedia
Dr. Edward Porter Alexander (January 11, 1907 –July 31, 2003) was an American
historian, museum administrator, educator and author. He served for nearly 30 years as vice-president for interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg
(1946-1972) and founded the Museum Studies program at the University of Delaware, which he directed for its first six years.
, where he went to public schools. He graduated from Drake University
in Des Moines
, and earned a master's degree in history at the University of Iowa
. He earned a doctorate in history at Columbia University
.
at Ticonderoga
and Cooperstown
from 1934 to 1941.
He went to Wisconsin, where he served as the director of the Historical Society of Wisconsin from 1941 to 1946.
For nearly 30 years, he directed activities as the vice president for interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg
from 1946 to 1972. These were decades of major expansion and change, including the beginning of incorporation of more historical material about the common people, slaves and women.
Following this, he founded the Museum Studies Program at the University of Delaware
, which he directed from 1972 until his retirement in 1978.
Deeply engaged in museum operations, he was elected president of the American Association of Museums
and the American Association for State and Local History.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian, museum administrator, educator and author. He served for nearly 30 years as vice-president for interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
(1946-1972) and founded the Museum Studies program at the University of Delaware, which he directed for its first six years.
Early life and education
He was born in Keokuk, IowaKeokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
, where he went to public schools. He graduated from Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, and earned a master's degree in history at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. He earned a doctorate in history at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
Career
Alexander worked mostly in museums and historical centers. He served as director of the New York State Historical AssociationNew York State Historical Association
The New York State Historical Association is a private, non-governmental educational organization founded in 1899 to encourage research, educate general audiences, and start a library and museum of manuscripts, artwork, and other objects associated with the history of New York State, USThe...
at Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga, New York
Ticonderoga is a town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 5,167 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the Mohawk tekontaró:ken, meaning "it is at the junction of two waterways"....
and Cooperstown
Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
from 1934 to 1941.
He went to Wisconsin, where he served as the director of the Historical Society of Wisconsin from 1941 to 1946.
For nearly 30 years, he directed activities as the vice president for interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
from 1946 to 1972. These were decades of major expansion and change, including the beginning of incorporation of more historical material about the common people, slaves and women.
Following this, he founded the Museum Studies Program at the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
, which he directed from 1972 until his retirement in 1978.
Deeply engaged in museum operations, he was elected president of the American Association of Museums
American Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
and the American Association for State and Local History.
Legacy and honors
- Alexander was awarded an honorary degree from Drake University.
- He was elected as a fellow of the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences (now known as the Rochester Museum & Science Center).
Published books
- James Duane: Revolutionary Conservative (1978),
- Museums in Motion: An Introduction to the History and Functions of Museums (1979),
- Museum Masters: Their Museums and Their Influence (1983),
- The Museum in America: Innovators and Pioneers (1997).