John Brown Russwurm
John Brown Russwurm also became the first African American to graduate from Bowdoin College. He was born to a white planter and a mother of African descent in Port Antonio, Jamaica. He enjoyed ample privilege while growing up because his father, John Russwurm, was from a wealthy Virginia family.
According to Library Bowdoin, John began his basic education at the age of eight. He furthered his education at the Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine. With the assistance of his stepmom and new husband, he got admission to Bowdoin College in 1824, where he accessed graduate education.
