Alfred Thomas Jackson

Alfred Thomas Jackson (June 30, 1864 – May 13, 1928) was an American educator who founded Sumner-Robertson Normal College in Tennessee in 1900. It was a private college chartered by the State of Tennessee that supplemented the existing public schools in educating teachers. The name of the school came from its location along the border of two adjacent Tennessee counties, Sumner and Robertson, at the town of White House. To build his school, Jackson obtained seven investors, During the early 20th century, there was a growing national awareness of the need for better preparation of teachers. So-called "normal schools" were expected to establish "norms" of teaching standards.

The Sumner-Robertson Normal School had about 300 students in its 1905–1906 session with graduates in the teachers' group and the scientific group. It offered foreign languages and higher mathematics. Some of its graduates went on to become successful politicians, physicians and attorneys. After 20 years, Jackson sold the school to the two counties who converted it to a public high school. and received a B.S. degree. He later received a B.A. degree from Peabody College in Nashville. The minister who had delivered the baccalaureate sermon then had Myra Barry, age 22, come back on the stage for a wedding with 39 year-old headmaster A.T.Jackson.