Charles Burleigh Purvis

American physician and surgeon

Charles Burleigh Purvis

Charles Burleigh Purvis (April 14, 1842 – December 14, 1929) was a pioneering African American physician and surgeon. He was one of the first African Americans to graduate from medical school in the United States and made significant contributions to the field of medicine and the advancement of African Americans in the medical profession.

Early life and education

Charles Burleigh Purvis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Robert Purvis and Harriet Forten Purvis, both prominent abolitionists. His father, Robert Purvis, was of mixed-race ancestry and was a leading figure in the Underground Railroad. Charles was raised in an environment that valued education and social justice.

Purvis attended the Free African School in Philadelphia and later enrolled at Oberlin College in Ohio, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He then pursued a medical degree at the Wooster Medical College (now part of Case Western Reserve University), graduating in 1865.

Medical career

After completing his medical education, Purvis began his career as a physician in Washington, D.C.. He was appointed as a surgeon at the Freedmen's Hospital, which was established to provide medical care to freed slaves. Purvis became the hospital's chief surgeon and was instrumental in improving the quality of care provided to patients.

In 1881, Purvis made history by becoming the first African American to serve as a physician in the United States Army. He was appointed as a contract surgeon, a position he held for several years. His appointment was a significant milestone in the integration of African Americans into the U.S. military medical corps.

Contributions to medicine and society

Purvis was a strong advocate for the education and advancement of African Americans in the medical field. He was a founding member of the National Medical Association, an organization established to represent African American physicians who were excluded from the American Medical Association due to racial discrimination.

Purvis also played a key role in the establishment of the Howard University College of Medicine, where he served as a professor of surgery. His work at Howard University helped to train and mentor a new generation of African American physicians.

Legacy

Charles Burleigh Purvis is remembered as a trailblazer in the field of medicine and a champion for racial equality. His efforts to improve medical education and healthcare for African Americans have had a lasting impact on the medical profession.

Purvis's legacy is honored through various awards and scholarships established in his name, aimed at supporting minority students pursuing careers in medicine.

Related pages

• Howard University College of Medicine
• Freedmen's Hospital
• National Medical Association
• Robert Purvis