Femi Lewis is a writer and educator who specializes in African-American history topics, including slavery, abolitionism, and the Harlem Renaissance. With a medical practice in lower Manhattan, Smith specialized in general surgery and medicine, providing treatment to Black as well as White patients. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone! His written commentaries stating his position on colonization and Black emigration in the 1840’s and 1850’s and his views on Reconstruction in the 1860’s were informative observations on racial identity and the (then) future of African Americans. Eventually his medical career came to be sacrificed to the cause of his people and to the latter he devoted his latter years almost entirely. One of these precepts is, that they may rebuke one another in love: and another is, that they may exhort each other to “good works.” Reposing on these precepts and obedient to them, the Christians of Britain have a right to call upon the Christians of these United States to desist from the sin of slaveholding. His sophistication and community leadership often resulted is his name being brought up as a benchmark for Black intellect and achievement. This example has proved most instructive, for when France again bent her neck to the iron yoke of a ruthless tyrant, and suffered her sons to be slaughtered at the altar of ambitious despotism, the men whom she had so suddenly liberated showed themselves worthy of their freedom; for, against the veterans of Europe’s conqueror, against an armament sent out by the empire which overwhelmed Napoleon, amidst the loathing and scorn of a neighboring republic, and the cold and bitter neglect of all nations, they have maintained their freedom until now, when generous and consistent France, inspired with the genius of modern abolitionism, by acknowledging the independence of Hayti, completes the triumph which revolutionary France began. Find out what drugs have been approved, what foods are dangerous and more. Smith is believed to be the first African American physician to hold a medical degree. In this, also Dr. Smith has had his followers. In 1869, Susan Maria McKinney Steward became the third Black American woman to earn a medical degree. He went on to become one of the most important, yet historically neglected, figures in antebellum African-American history. James Smith died on November 17, 1865. James McCune Smith died in 1865. Crumpler began her own medical career as a nurse in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Get our quarterly newsletter to stay up-to-date, plus all speech or video narrative bookings near you as they happen. In 1864, Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler became the first Black woman to earn a medical degree. James Derham never received a medical degree, but he is considered the first Black physician in the United States. In 1837, Smith earned a medical degree from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He wrote the introduction to Douglass’ book My Bondage and My Freedom. But, sir, common usage may be wrong, the Temperance and even the Colonization Society may be wrong in sanctioning national interference in national sins. By 1860, Smith was doing very well;he had moved to Leonard Street within the Fifth Ward Apr 30, 1863. They heard these sounds and they felt the principles by which they had recently been stirred still glow within them and expand their benevolence beyond the limits of a single empire: they felt the force of that sentiment uttered nearly a thousand years ago by an African slave, “Homo sum hacmani ni’l alletium ama puto.” They felt that their country was the world, their countrymen mankind, and were urged by motives that they could not resist to make the attempt to disenthrall all their countrymen: and the bound themselves by solemn compact to begin a moral agitation; that shall not cease until the last fetter shall fall from the last slave upon our earth. James McCune Smith (1813–1865) was the first African-American to obtain a medical degree, and the medical profession was McCune Smith’s intellectual proving ground.He ran a medical practice and pharmacy in New York City, treating both white and black patients and served as chief physician at the New York City Colored Orphan Asylum. James McCune Smith (April 18, 1813 – November 17, 1865) was an American physician, apothecary, abolitionist, and author. Should the apprenticeship, which works so badly, be permitted to continue until 1840, the evils which have resulted, and the insur¬rections which might arise from it, would be, to the slaveholder, an argument against emancipation in any form, and to many friends of liberty an argument for very gradual emancipation. In 1837, following a brief internship in Paris, he returned to New York City where he established a medical practice and opened a pharmacy. University Link: Alumnus, Graduate GU Degrees: BA, 1835; MA, 1836; MD, 1837; Occupation categories: … The drawing on the cover of this issue by our staff artist, Mrs. Naida W. Page, is from a photograph of Dr. James McCune Smith, the first American Negro to obtain a medical degree. are free hips. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Excerpts from the Journal of the National Medical Association, Mar. His life and works still await competent historical study. Died 17 November 1865. He is the first African American to hold a medical degree and graduated at the top in his class at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He was the first African American to run a pharmacy in the United States. Your email address will not be published. Black Women Are the Most Educated Group in the U.S. African American History Timeline: 1840 to 1849, Biography of Elizabeth Blackwell: First Woman Physician in America, Black History and Women Timeline 1860-1869, African American History Timeline: 1940 to 1949, Black History and Women Timeline 1870-1899, Daniel Hale Williams, Heart Surgery Pioneer, Black History and Women Timeline 1800–1859, A Brief History of Women in Higher Education, The Social Transformation of American Medicine, Brooklyn Women’s Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary, M.S.Ed, Secondary Education, St. John's University, M.F.A., Creative Writing, City College of New York. James McCune Smith died of heart disease at the age of 52 on November 17, 1865. One year later, Peck graduated and worked with abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. 1952. He called for an independent Black press and worked with Frederick Douglass in the 1850’s to establish the first permanent Black organization, The National Council of the Colored People. The very year that witnessed in our Hall of Representatives the appalling spectacle of a venerable man hooted and howled at when he sought even the right to petition in behalf of the slave, the same year beheld the legislature of king-ridden, priest ridden, and as some say, infidel France, cheering ¬on an abolitionist in his measures for emancipation. In 1843, he defended the Negro against the invidious propaganda given forth by U.S. In 1837, Smith earned a medical degree from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. All donations are tax deductible. Dr. Smith came to be recognized as the most able Negro of his time in defense of his people against racial inferiority myths. Smith was educated in the African Free School in New York City. James McCune Smith was the first Black person to earn a medical degree. Both his father, who worked as a merchant, and his mother were former slaves. In addition to his medical practice, Smith was the first Black American to manage a pharmacy in the United States. James McCune Smith was born in New York City on April 18, 1813, to an enslaved mother. they need space to James McCune Smith was born on April 18, 1813. By 1851, Peck closed his practice and was participating in emigration to Central America led by Martin Delany. Eventually his medical career came to be sacrificed to the cause of his people and to the latter he devoted his latter years almost entirely. And this great movement was distinguished by none of the bitterness of a political contest, none of the selfish¬ness of a political victory. He said at a gathering, "I have striven to obtain education, at every sacrifice and every hazard, and to apply such education to the good of our common country." James McCune Smith (1813-1865) was a prominent physician and abolitionist. He was a Black physician and abolitionist. ISBN 0-8160-3289-0. Sir, what are the means by which they hope to obtain so glorious a result? they don't like to be... Street Team INNW, St. Paul, The Castillo de San Marcos, a brief story, The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 passed, The first Black Firefighter hired in Los Angeles, Thurgood Marshall sworn in to the Supreme Court, Actor Moses Gunn, gave superb performances.