The Biographical Dictionary of America/Battle, Archibald J.

​BATTLE, Archibald J., educator, was born at Powelton, Hancock county, Ga., Sept. 10, 1826, son of Dr. Cullen Battle, a prominent Baptist layman in Georgia, one of the founders of Mercer university, and widely known for his wealth and benefactions. The son was graduated from the University of Alabama in 1846, and first engaged in educational work as principal of the Eufaula academy. He was tutor of ancient languages at the University of Alabama, 1847-'52, and held a chair in the East Alabama female college in 1852-'55. He entered the Baptist ministry in 1853 as minister of the Tuskegee Baptist church, and in 1855 assumed the pastorate of the Tuscaloosa Baptist church. In 1856 educational work again claimed him. and he returned to the University of Alabama to become professor of Greek. He funded the Alabama Central female college, of which he was president in 1860. At the close of the civil war he re-established and became president of the Judson female institute, Marion, Ala., 1865-'71, after which he was president of Mercer university from 1871-'89. In 1872 the doctorate of divinity was conferred upon him by Howard college, Ala., and Columbian college, Washington. D.C., and by the University of Georgia in 1873. In 1883 Mississippi college conferred on him the degree of LL.D. He published "The Human Will," "Lectures on Memory," "Imagination," "Man the Image of God," "The Sun," and "The Sabbath of Creation." In 1890 he left Macon to accept the presidency of Shorter college, Rome, Ga.