Biography Alexander Winchell

1 biography

1.1 education
1.2 career
1.3 michigan
1.4 cotton growing venture
1.5 syracuse university
1.6 late career , controversy

biography
education

winchell graduated wesleyan university of middletown, connecticut, in 1847.

early career

he taught @ pennington male seminary of new jersey, amenia seminary of new york (where had been student), academy in newbern, alabama, , mesopotamia female seminary of eutaw, last of founded him. became president of masonic university @ selma, alabama, in 1853.

michigan

in 1854 winchell entered service of university of michigan professor of physics , civil engineering. became professor of geology , paleontology @ michigan.

in 1859, winchell appointed state geologist of michigan newly formed second geological survey of state. held post until 1863 when state did not appropriate funding continue survey. survey resumed in 1869, , winchell reappointed in april. owing conflicting opinions between winchell , superiors, resigned in 1871.

he stayed @ michigan until 1872.

cotton growing venture

in 1863 winchell took lease on cotton plantation near vicksburg, mississippi, under plan devised gen. lorenzo thomas lease plantations along mississippi river loyal men north, hire black laborers on terms prescribed army. winchell organized ann arbor cotton company , sold stock university’s president, whereupon received leave of absence engage in cotton planting.

general thomas set wages @ low level ($7 per month men, $5 women, minus cost of medical attention , clothing). then, many lessees defrauded freedmen of earnings. in winter of 1863–64, treasury department briefly assumed control of mississippi valley labor system, mandated substantial increase in black wages, , contemplated leasing plantations directly freedmen. winchell complained treasury’s regulations “framed in exclusive interest of negro , in non-recognition of moral sense , patriotism of white man.”

needless say, venture brought him nothing problems, , after winchell returned michigan in 1864, brother martin, managing plantation, killed guerrillas.

syracuse university

f in 1872, appointed chancellor of syracuse university. depression of 1873 affected both personal finances , of syracuse, , these troubles led him resign position in 1874.

late career , controversy

the year 1875 found him professor of geology , zoology @ vanderbilt university. there, views on evolution, expressed in book adamites , preadamites: or, popular discussion (1878), not acceptable university administration because diverged biblical teaching. today views on inferiority of negro (quote 1878 book) have been focus of controversy. in case, obligated resign in 1878.

he returned university of michigan, professor of geology , paleontology.

his work in geology not significant teaching , popular lectures , writing in field. concerned reconciling science , religion.