Educator. Born to Louis Victor and Alive Saucier Alexis, he was educated in the local schools where he excelled academically. Alexis was determined to attend Harvard University. Not having the finances to do so, he began working in 1907 (at age 20) as a railway clerk, saving for the education he so desperately desired.
By the time he reached age 27, he had set aside enough money for four years of college. He applied and was accepted at Harvard but was asked to attend a year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, a prestigious preparatory high school. While at Exeter, he lived in the home of Mr. H. F. Quimby and soon developed a keen interest in foreign Languages and the sciences. By now he had only enough money for three years upon entering Harvard, so he managed by graduating "cum Laude" a year early (1917). It was there at Harvard that he earned the nickname: "The Negro Einstein."
That same year, Alexis entered Officer's Training School, in Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and assigned to the 367th Infantry on October 15, 1917. Two months before departing, Alexis married Rita Holt in Gulfport, Mississippi and together the would have one son.
Upon returning to New Orleans, Alexis took up the profession of teaching. He was assigned to McCarthy Elementary and appointed Principal in 1923 at Willow Elementary. But his greatest award came in 1926 when he became principal of McDonough #35, the only public high school opened for the education of colored students in the City of New Orleans. For the next nearly 30 years, he would leave an indelible mark on this institution which is still being echoed by many of his former students up to the present time.
It was not unusual to spot him walking up and down the corridors of the Rampart Street School reading scientific works printed in German. Noted for his mastery of Latin, he often found time to instruct the advanced classes in the subject. (Class of 1936)
Being a former military man, Lucien was said to be strict but fair as well as famous for his method of disciplining students. Students who violated his dress of discipline code were forced to join Alexis' "army" and ordered to march up and down the 2nd floor of the school building.
Respect for Mr. Alexis soon extended beyond the school grounds and into the community. Since McDonough #35 was located on South Rampart and Girod Streets, the students had to pass through a neighborhood of sleazy bars, houses of prostitution and various other vices. Often the girls were meddled by men on the way going and coming from school. Fortunately, since it was known that you were an "Alexis" girl, you were never meddled with again. They respected Mr. Alexis and knew to show respect to his students.
The "Negro Einstein" did not give up his interest and love for science once he became principal. For five years he engaged in serious scientific study and soon published a 40 page brochure outlining his principles of a new theory which he named his "ethonic" theory.
Upon retiring, the brilliant educator and published author opened Straight Business School, which his wife managed. Lucien was also president of the Supreme Industrial Life Insurance Company, founder and executive director of the School of Post-Modern Science in New Orleans, and a charter member of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Lucian passed away December 18, 1981.
Extracted form a May 5, 2014 biographical sketch by Lolita V. Cherrie in the Creolegen, a publication of The Creole Genealogical and Historical Association.
By the time he reached age 27, he had set aside enough money for four years of college. He applied and was accepted at Harvard but was asked to attend a year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, a prestigious preparatory high school. While at Exeter, he lived in the home of Mr. H. F. Quimby and soon developed a keen interest in foreign Languages and the sciences. By now he had only enough money for three years upon entering Harvard, so he managed by graduating "cum Laude" a year early (1917). It was there at Harvard that he earned the nickname: "The Negro Einstein."
That same year, Alexis entered Officer's Training School, in Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and assigned to the 367th Infantry on October 15, 1917. Two months before departing, Alexis married Rita Holt in Gulfport, Mississippi and together the would have one son.
Upon returning to New Orleans, Alexis took up the profession of teaching. He was assigned to McCarthy Elementary and appointed Principal in 1923 at Willow Elementary. But his greatest award came in 1926 when he became principal of McDonough #35, the only public high school opened for the education of colored students in the City of New Orleans. For the next nearly 30 years, he would leave an indelible mark on this institution which is still being echoed by many of his former students up to the present time.
It was not unusual to spot him walking up and down the corridors of the Rampart Street School reading scientific works printed in German. Noted for his mastery of Latin, he often found time to instruct the advanced classes in the subject. (Class of 1936)
Being a former military man, Lucien was said to be strict but fair as well as famous for his method of disciplining students. Students who violated his dress of discipline code were forced to join Alexis' "army" and ordered to march up and down the 2nd floor of the school building.
Respect for Mr. Alexis soon extended beyond the school grounds and into the community. Since McDonough #35 was located on South Rampart and Girod Streets, the students had to pass through a neighborhood of sleazy bars, houses of prostitution and various other vices. Often the girls were meddled by men on the way going and coming from school. Fortunately, since it was known that you were an "Alexis" girl, you were never meddled with again. They respected Mr. Alexis and knew to show respect to his students.
The "Negro Einstein" did not give up his interest and love for science once he became principal. For five years he engaged in serious scientific study and soon published a 40 page brochure outlining his principles of a new theory which he named his "ethonic" theory.
Upon retiring, the brilliant educator and published author opened Straight Business School, which his wife managed. Lucien was also president of the Supreme Industrial Life Insurance Company, founder and executive director of the School of Post-Modern Science in New Orleans, and a charter member of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Lucian passed away December 18, 1981.
Extracted form a May 5, 2014 biographical sketch by Lolita V. Cherrie in the Creolegen, a publication of The Creole Genealogical and Historical Association.
Educator. Born to Louis Victor and Alive Saucier Alexis, he was educated in the local schools where he excelled academically. Alexis was determined to attend Harvard University. Not having the finances to do so, he began working in 1907 (at age 20) as a railway clerk, saving for the education he so desperately desired.
By the time he reached age 27, he had set aside enough money for four years of college. He applied and was accepted at Harvard but was asked to attend a year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, a prestigious preparatory high school. While at Exeter, he lived in the home of Mr. H. F. Quimby and soon developed a keen interest in foreign Languages and the sciences. By now he had only enough money for three years upon entering Harvard, so he managed by graduating "cum Laude" a year early (1917). It was there at Harvard that he earned the nickname: "The Negro Einstein."
That same year, Alexis entered Officer's Training School, in Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and assigned to the 367th Infantry on October 15, 1917. Two months before departing, Alexis married Rita Holt in Gulfport, Mississippi and together the would have one son.
Upon returning to New Orleans, Alexis took up the profession of teaching. He was assigned to McCarthy Elementary and appointed Principal in 1923 at Willow Elementary. But his greatest award came in 1926 when he became principal of McDonough #35, the only public high school opened for the education of colored students in the City of New Orleans. For the next nearly 30 years, he would leave an indelible mark on this institution which is still being echoed by many of his former students up to the present time.
It was not unusual to spot him walking up and down the corridors of the Rampart Street School reading scientific works printed in German. Noted for his mastery of Latin, he often found time to instruct the advanced classes in the subject. (Class of 1936)
Being a former military man, Lucien was said to be strict but fair as well as famous for his method of disciplining students. Students who violated his dress of discipline code were forced to join Alexis' "army" and ordered to march up and down the 2nd floor of the school building.
Respect for Mr. Alexis soon extended beyond the school grounds and into the community. Since McDonough #35 was located on South Rampart and Girod Streets, the students had to pass through a neighborhood of sleazy bars, houses of prostitution and various other vices. Often the girls were meddled by men on the way going and coming from school. Fortunately, since it was known that you were an "Alexis" girl, you were never meddled with again. They respected Mr. Alexis and knew to show respect to his students.
The "Negro Einstein" did not give up his interest and love for science once he became principal. For five years he engaged in serious scientific study and soon published a 40 page brochure outlining his principles of a new theory which he named his "ethonic" theory.
Upon retiring, the brilliant educator and published author opened Straight Business School, which his wife managed. Lucien was also president of the Supreme Industrial Life Insurance Company, founder and executive director of the School of Post-Modern Science in New Orleans, and a charter member of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Lucian passed away December 18, 1981.
Extracted form a May 5, 2014 biographical sketch by Lolita V. Cherrie in the Creolegen, a publication of The Creole Genealogical and Historical Association.
By the time he reached age 27, he had set aside enough money for four years of college. He applied and was accepted at Harvard but was asked to attend a year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, a prestigious preparatory high school. While at Exeter, he lived in the home of Mr. H. F. Quimby and soon developed a keen interest in foreign Languages and the sciences. By now he had only enough money for three years upon entering Harvard, so he managed by graduating "cum Laude" a year early (1917). It was there at Harvard that he earned the nickname: "The Negro Einstein."
That same year, Alexis entered Officer's Training School, in Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and assigned to the 367th Infantry on October 15, 1917. Two months before departing, Alexis married Rita Holt in Gulfport, Mississippi and together the would have one son.
Upon returning to New Orleans, Alexis took up the profession of teaching. He was assigned to McCarthy Elementary and appointed Principal in 1923 at Willow Elementary. But his greatest award came in 1926 when he became principal of McDonough #35, the only public high school opened for the education of colored students in the City of New Orleans. For the next nearly 30 years, he would leave an indelible mark on this institution which is still being echoed by many of his former students up to the present time.
It was not unusual to spot him walking up and down the corridors of the Rampart Street School reading scientific works printed in German. Noted for his mastery of Latin, he often found time to instruct the advanced classes in the subject. (Class of 1936)
Being a former military man, Lucien was said to be strict but fair as well as famous for his method of disciplining students. Students who violated his dress of discipline code were forced to join Alexis' "army" and ordered to march up and down the 2nd floor of the school building.
Respect for Mr. Alexis soon extended beyond the school grounds and into the community. Since McDonough #35 was located on South Rampart and Girod Streets, the students had to pass through a neighborhood of sleazy bars, houses of prostitution and various other vices. Often the girls were meddled by men on the way going and coming from school. Fortunately, since it was known that you were an "Alexis" girl, you were never meddled with again. They respected Mr. Alexis and knew to show respect to his students.
The "Negro Einstein" did not give up his interest and love for science once he became principal. For five years he engaged in serious scientific study and soon published a 40 page brochure outlining his principles of a new theory which he named his "ethonic" theory.
Upon retiring, the brilliant educator and published author opened Straight Business School, which his wife managed. Lucien was also president of the Supreme Industrial Life Insurance Company, founder and executive director of the School of Post-Modern Science in New Orleans, and a charter member of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Lucian passed away December 18, 1981.
Extracted form a May 5, 2014 biographical sketch by Lolita V. Cherrie in the Creolegen, a publication of The Creole Genealogical and Historical Association.
Family Members
Spouse
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
