Palmer, Alice Elvira Freeman (1855-1902), gained fame as an American educator. In 1879, at the age of 24, she became head of the history department at Wellesley College. Three years later, she became president of Wellesley. She was one of the youngest college presidents in history. She resigned as president in 1887 after she married George Herbert Palmer, a Harvard University professor. She served as the first dean of women at the University of Chicago from 1892 to 1895. She died on Dec. 6, 1902.
Alice Elvira Freeman was born on Feb. 21, 1855, in Colesville, New York. In 1882, she helped organize the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, which later became the American Association of University Women. She served as its president in 1885 and 1886.
