James McCune Smith

James McCune Smith (April 18, 1813 – November 17, 1865) was an American physician, apothecary, abolitionist, and author. He is the first African American to hold a medical degree and graduated at the top in his class at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. After his return to the United States, he became the first African American to run a pharmacy in that nation.

Early life and education

James McCune Smith was born free in 1813 in New York City. His mother, believed to be Lavinia Smith, and his father, said to be Samuel Smith, were slaves who had been freed. He attended the African Free School in New York City, where he was a star student.

Career

After being denied admission to colleges in the United States, he applied to the University of Glasgow in Scotland, where he completed his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and medical degree. McCune Smith also studied French and German, which he used in his postgraduate studies in Paris and Vienna.

Upon his return to New York, he was certified by the New York Pharmacy Board and opened a pharmacy, which became a popular gathering place in the community. He served as a doctor for the Colored Orphan Asylum for over 20 years. McCune Smith was also active in political and civil rights activities, including the abolitionist movement.

Death and legacy

McCune Smith died of congestive heart failure in 1865. His pioneering contributions to medicine and his tireless work for civil rights have been recognized by numerous institutions, including the University of Glasgow, which established a James McCune Smith scholarship in 2018.

See also

• List of African-American firsts
• African Americans in medicine

External links

• Biography at the National Library of Medicine

James McCune Smith Resources
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