Sophia b packard biography of martin luther

American educator and founder of Spelman College. Born on January 3, 1824, in New Salem, Massachusetts; died on June 21, 1891, in Washington, D.C.; daughter of Winslow Packard (a farmer) and Rachel (Freeman) Packard; attended the local district school; attended New Salem Academy in 1845 for at least a term; received a diploma from the Charlestown (Massachusetts) Female Seminary, 1850; never married; lifelong companion of Harriet E.

Giles; no children.

Taught for several years in Massachusetts schools; became preceptress and a teacher in the New Salem (Massachusetts) Academy (1855); with her lifelong companion, Harriet E. Giles, taught at the Connecticut Literary Institution, Suffield, Connecticut (1859–64); was co-principal of the Oread Collegiate Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts (1864–67); became pastor's assistant under the Rev.