Background
Barksdale, James Alton was born on November 29, 1904 in McKenzie, Tennessee, United States. Son of James Monroe and Judith Ada (Esch) Barksdale.
Barksdale, James Alton was born on November 29, 1904 in McKenzie, Tennessee, United States. Son of James Monroe and Judith Ada (Esch) Barksdale.
Bachelor of Arts, Bethel College, McKenzie, Tennessee, 1925, Doctor of Literature, 1959. Master of Arts, U. Colorado, 1936. Student Peabody College, 1927.
Doctor of Education, University of Tennessee, 1954.
Teacher, principal, Charlotte (Tennessee) High School, 1925-1935. Principal Central High Schools, Ashland City, Tennessee, 1935-1941, East.W. Grove High School, Paris, Tennessee, 1941-1943, Tennessee High School, Bristol, 1943-1946. Superintendent public schools, Union City, 1946-1949.
Director Tennessee Department Personnel, 1949-1950.
Tennessee commissioner education, 1950-1953. President Cumberland Presbyterian Board Education, 1951-1957.
Acting associate professor education University of Tennessee College Education, Knoxville, 1953-1955. Dean Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, 1955-1960.
Adviser higher education United States Overseas Mission International Cooperation Administration, Ankara, Turkey, 1960-1962.
Chief education adviser Agency for International Development, American embassy, Amman, Jordan, 1963-1965. Professor of history Bethel College, McKenzie, Tennessee, 1965-1980, interim president, 1969. Visiting professor Memphis State University, summer 1967.
Consultant Henry County Board Education 1967-1968.
Delaware, Tennessee Limited. Constitutional Convention, 1971.
Member American Association School Adminstrs., Tennessee Education Association (president 1959), Tennessee College Association (president 1959).
Married Eleanor Herrin, May 18, 1928.