John Fletcher Bonnell
1851 - 1930
John Fletcher Bonnell, one of the founders of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and son of Wesleyan College president John Mitchell Bonnell, graduated from Emory College with honors in 1871. After receiving his PhD in physics from Harvard University, he returned home to Oxford and joined the faculty as professor of physics and natural history at Emory College, a position he held for 6 years. Until 1891, all science classes at Emory College were taught by Professor Bonnell. These included natural philosophy, geology, chemistry, and physiology. In 1892, the department was expanded to include courses in physical geography, botany, and zoology. By 1904, when the Pierce Science Hall was completed, Professor Bonnell’s department took up two floors in the new building.
A talented musician, Bonnell founded and was a charter member of the Mendelssohn Club in Oxford. As a dedicated member of Allen Memorial Methodist Church, he was in charge of the Sunday school music program. A gifted writer and poet, many of his articles were published in the Southern Methodist Review and other periodicals, and his poetry appeared in the Atlanta Constitution between 1920 and 1930.
At the time of Emory’s move to Atlanta, Professor Bonnell held the record for continuous service on the faculty and was much beloved by his students and colleagues alike. Both the Bonnell Dormitory on the Oxford College campus and Bonnell Street in town are named in his honor.
A talented musician, Bonnell founded and was a charter member of the Mendelssohn Club in Oxford. As a dedicated member of Allen Memorial Methodist Church, he was in charge of the Sunday school music program. A gifted writer and poet, many of his articles were published in the Southern Methodist Review and other periodicals, and his poetry appeared in the Atlanta Constitution between 1920 and 1930.
At the time of Emory’s move to Atlanta, Professor Bonnell held the record for continuous service on the faculty and was much beloved by his students and colleagues alike. Both the Bonnell Dormitory on the Oxford College campus and Bonnell Street in town are named in his honor.