Marcus Peter Blakemore
Encyclopedia
Marcus Peter Blakemore was a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Incorporated. In The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, the primary book of history for the fraternity, Blakemore is said to have been an active contributor to educational, community, religious institutions, and an inspiration to members of his fraternity.
in 1889. He attended public schools in Anderson, Indiana, graduating in 1909.
. Blakemore, Armstrong, and other African-American men at Indiana University sought a solution to the problems faced by African-American students on the campus. To this end, they met to organize a fraternity, officially founding Kappa Alpha Psi on January 5, 1911.
The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi filed an application for incorporation as a national fraternity on April 11, 1911. To help pay the twenty-five dollar incorporation fee, Blakemore pawned his watch and donated the money towards the incorporation. The fraternity became incorporated on May 15, 1911.
. Later, Blakemore enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh
, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery
(D.D.S.) degree in 1923, and subsequently taking a career as a dentist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
Blakemore died on October 9, 1959 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery
.
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin...
Fraternity, Incorporated. In The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, the primary book of history for the fraternity, Blakemore is said to have been an active contributor to educational, community, religious institutions, and an inspiration to members of his fraternity.
Early life
Marcus Peter Blakemore was born in Franklin, IndianaFranklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
in 1889. He attended public schools in Anderson, Indiana, graduating in 1909.
Founding of Kappa Alpha Psi
In the fall of 1910, Blakemore enrolled in Indiana University, rooming with Byron Kenneth ArmstrongByron Kenneth Armstrong
Byron Kenneth Armstrong was a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He served as the fraternity's first Grand Strategus and Grand Historian, and received the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement bestowed by Kappa Alpha Psi.-Early life:Armstrong was born in...
. Blakemore, Armstrong, and other African-American men at Indiana University sought a solution to the problems faced by African-American students on the campus. To this end, they met to organize a fraternity, officially founding Kappa Alpha Psi on January 5, 1911.
The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi filed an application for incorporation as a national fraternity on April 11, 1911. To help pay the twenty-five dollar incorporation fee, Blakemore pawned his watch and donated the money towards the incorporation. The fraternity became incorporated on May 15, 1911.
Later life
Blakemore left Indiana University later in 1911. He started the Electric Engineering Company, a company which he operated until enlisting in the military during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Later, Blakemore enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery
Doctor of Dental Surgery
There are a number of first professional degrees in dentistry offered by schools in various countries around the world. These include the following:* Doctor of Dental Surgery * Doctor of Dental Medicine * Bachelor of Dentistry...
(D.D.S.) degree in 1923, and subsequently taking a career as a dentist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
.
Blakemore died on October 9, 1959 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery
Allegheny Cemetery
Allegheny Cemetery is one of the largest and oldest burial grounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.It is a nonsectarian, wooded hillside park located at 4734 Butler Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood and bounded by Bloomfield, Garfield, and Stanton Heights...
.