James McCune Smith

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James McCune Smith

Dr. James McCune Smith (April 18,1813 – November 17, 1865) was the first African-American to run a pharmacy in the United States. He was also the first African-American to practice medicine, and the first African-American to earn a medical degree.

Birth and Parentage

Smith was born to parents who were former slaves in New York City. Smith's father was freed through the Emancipation Act adopted in New York. By all accounts, his mother worked her way out of bondage.

Education

Smith attended the African Free School, where he was a "star pupil". In the course of his studies, he was tutored by Rev. Peter Williams, Jr., an Episcopalian minister at St. Joseph's Church in New York City, and also a graduate of the African Free School. Upon graduation, Smith tried to attend several American colleges, but was denied admission by each of them due to racial discrimination.

Williams suggested that Smith attend the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Williams helped Smith raise money for his trip to Scotland and his subsequent education there. Smith was accepted to the University, where he later graduated at the top of his class. He obtained a bachelor's degree in 1835, a master's degree in 1836, and a medical degree in 1837. He then traveled from Glasgow to Paris to complete a brief internship.

Career in medicine

Upon his return to New York City in 1837, Smith became the United State's first professionally trained African-American physician. His practice spanned 25 years. In 1846, he was appointed the only doctor of Colored Orphan Asylum which was founded by the New York Manumission Society.

He also opened what has been called the first black pharmacy in the United States.

Abolitionist Movement

While in Scotland, Smith was a member of the Glasgow Emancipation Society. Upon his return to New York, he became a member of the American Anti-Slavery Society. In 1850, he was one of the key organizers of New York's resistance to the Fugitive Slave Act as a member of the Committee of Thirteen. During the mid 1850s, he helped Frederick Douglass to establish the National Council of Colored People.

Essays and writings

Dr. Smith wrote the introduction to Fredrick Douglass' second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom (1855), which constituted an important move away from seeking approval and authentication from white abolitionists in African-American accounts of slavery.

Death

Dr. Smith died in 1865 of a heart attack at the age of 52. His death was just a few months after congressional passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which abolished slavery throughout the Country.

Some of his published essays

• "A Lecture on the Haitian Revolution" (1841)
• "The Destiny of the People of Color"

See also

1. Peter Williams, Jr.
2. abolitionism
3. Slavery
4. African-American
5. African Free School
6. University of Glasgow
7. Thirteenth Amendment
8. Fredrick Douglass
9. List of African American firsts

References

1. "Intelligence personified, James McCune Smith". Retrieved 2006-12-08.
2. "African American Medical Pioneers: James McCune Smith". Retrieved 2006-12-10.
3. "The education and medical practice of Dr. James McCune Smith". Retrieved 2006-12-10.
4. "Created Equal". Retrieved 2006-12-10.
5. "James McCune Smith". Retrieved 2006-12-10.