Edward A Bouchet Monument
Open to the Public
On September 15, 1852, Edward Alexander Bouchet was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of William Frances and Susan (Cooley) Bouchet. As a valet for the father of Judge A. Heaton Robinson, William, his father, relocated to New Haven from South Charleston, South Carolina, in 1824.
In high school, Edward A. Bouchet, excelled in his studies, becoming valedictorian at Hopkins School, and in 1874 he was the first African American to graduate from Yale University. He was also admitted into Phi Beta Kappa, a prestigious honor society.
Bouchet pursued graduate studies in physics at Yale, and in 1876 he became the first African American to receive a Ph.D. Additionally, he was the Western Hemisphere’s sixth doctorate recipient. After that, Bouchet oversaw the scientific department for 26 years at the Institute for Colored Youth, a high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he instructed students in physics, chemistry, astronomy, geography, and physiology.
Bouchet retired back to New Haven, where he lived until his death in 1918. He was laid to rest in an unmarked burial in the Evergreen Cemetery family plot in New Haven. In October 1998, the memorial dedicated to Dr. Bouche was unveiled.
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Opening hours
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Monday7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Tuesday7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Wednesday7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Thursday7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Friday7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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SaturdayClosed
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SundayClosed