Charles L. Reason, African-American Mathematician

1+1=2, 2+2=4. Okay so that equation would probably be simple for Charles L. Reason. He was born on July 21, 1818 in New York City to Michiel and Elizabeth Reason.

I find myself intrigued by people who are gifted with numbers. That is definitely not a talent I possess.

Let me tell you a little about him. As a youngster he was a student at the African Free School. He excelled in the area of math. At just 14 years of age he became a teacher there.

He assisted in the first New York State Convention of Negroes in 1840. He supported having a manual labor school in New York City. This would give black students training in the industrial arts. In addition, Charles Reason developed a normal teaching school as a solution to the accusation that African-American teachers were incompetent, inferior or ill-prepared.

In 1849 he had the unusual position and distinction of being the first black to teach math at a predominately white American institution known as Central College in McGrawville, New York. It is now called Cheyney State University. After a few years there he left and became the principal of the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia.

Charles Reason was an outspoken opponent of slavery. He was committed to many causes that would make life better for African-Americans. He spoke on behalf of the Fugitive Aid Society. Charles Reason was also an established author.

Although known because of his skills as a mathematician he was equally an advocate for equality and justice. While much of his story took place in New York, his message resounded all over the world.

Charles L. Reason died in 1893.

SOURCE:

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/special/reason_charles_l.html