BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : THE FIRST BLACK PHYSICANS IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

The first Black Physician in America, not professionally trained in a medical school was James Derham, born a slave in Philadelphia in 1757, was owned by three Doctors. Doctor Robert Love his owner encourage Derham to practice medicine, working as a medical assistance and apothecary. Derham saved enough money to buy his freedom in 1783 and opened a medical practice in New Orleans. By the age of 26, Derham New Orleans practice earned him over $3000 annually. Derham met Dr Benjamin Rush the father of American Medicine, during a visit to Philadelphia. Rush was impressed with Derham, received respect and admiration from his colleagues and became nationally renowned as a leading specialist in throat disorders and the relationship between climate and diseases. Dr Benjamin Rush said of Derham " I have conversed with him upon most of the modern simple mode of practice on the diseases, I expected to have suggested some new medicines to him but he suggested many more to me".

James McCune Smith was the first Black Person to be University Trained Physician in the 19th century. Smith enroll in the University Of Glasgow in Scotland. He completed his B.A. in 1835, is M.A. degree in 1836 and M.D. in1837. Part of Smith Education was sponsored by a British anti- slavery organisation known as the Glasgow Emancipation Society.