Alpheus Spring Packard, Sr.

Alpheus Spring Packard (December 23, 1798 – July 13, 1884) was an American academic who was a professor for more than 40 years at Bowdoin College. Trained as a minister, he was an educator, librarian, and acting President of Bowdoin College for the year 1883–84 until his death (between the Chamberlain and Hyde administrations). He was the father of four sons and one daughter by his first wife: Alpheus Spring Packard Jr. (1839–1905), Bowdoin class of 1861, Civil War surgeon, entomologist who corresponded with Darwin, and a professor at Brown University with 25 publications; William Alfred Packard (1830–1909), Bowdoin class of 1851; Charles A. Packard, Bowdoin class of 1848; George Packard; and Frances Appleton.

Biography He was born on December 23, 1798, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1816.

He died on July 13, 1884, in Squirrel Island, Maine.

Residence The Bowdoin College Russwurm African American Center located at 6 College St. in Brunswick, Maine was originally built in 1827 for Packard, who in 1836 sold half to William Smyth, professor of mathematics. For the next 35 years, the house was known as the Packard–Smyth House. The house has also been known as the Mitchell–Little house (after subsequent owners).