Crocker, Lucretia (1829–1886)

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Crocker, Lucretia (1829–1886)

American educator. Born Dec 31, 1829, in Barnstable, Massachusetts; died Oct 9, 1886, in Boston, MA; dau. of Henry and Lydia E. (Farris) Crocker; graduate of State Normal School at West Newton, 1850.

Responsible for introducing instruction in zoology and mineralogy in Boston public schools, taught geography, mathematics, and natural science at State Normal School in West Newton (MA); served as professor of mathematics and astronomy, Antioch College (1857–59); headed science department of Society to Encourage Studies at Home (1873–76); seated on the Boston School Committee (c. 1874); elected to newly created Board of Supervisors (1876); was the 1st nonscientist elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1880); published Our World (1864) and Methods of Teaching Geography: Notes on Lessons (1883).