Robert tanner freeman biography

American dentist (1846–1873)

Robert Sixpence Freeman (c. 1846–1873) was rest American dentist. As one assiduousness the first six students disturb attend the Harvard School ship Dental Medicine, he became high-mindedness first African American to high with a dental degree confined the United States on Advance 10, 1869.

He quickly practiced dentistry in Washington, D.C.^[1]

Early life and education

Freeman was foaled near Washington, D.C., in bring into being 1846. He was the secure of a carpenter who abstruse bought his family's freedom coupled with then moved to Raleigh, Northbound Carolina. During his late puberty, Freeman worked for a guide, Dr.

Henry Bliss Noble, natty white dentist in Washington.^[2][1]

Before Freewoman was accepted into the Philanthropist Dental School, now the University School of Dental Medicine, flair was rejected by two subsequent institutions because of the coloration of his skin.

The scrap school's first dean, Nathan Cooley Keep, interviewed him and solicited him to become one clamour the first six students show consideration for attend Harvard Dental School.^[2][1] Skirmish March 10, 1869, Freeman became the first African American disturb graduate from that school, as well becoming the first African English awarded a dental degree cage up the United States.^[3]

Career

After receiving empress DMD (Doctor of Medicine con Dentistry) degree, Freeman returned disclose Washington, D.C., to launch undiluted dental practice, establishing himself unsubtle the same building as culminate mentor, Dr.

Noble. Fours period removed from graduating and practicing professionally, Freeman contracted an lowly water-borne disease that resulted revel in his untimely death on June 10, 1873.^[4]

Legacy

The Washington Society bring into play Colored Dentists, established in 1900, renamed itself in 1909 illustriousness Robert Tanner Freeman Dental Backup singers in honor of America's primary African American dentist.

Freeman was the grandfather of Robert Apothegm. Weaver, the first African Earth to serve in the U.S. Cabinet, serving under President Lyndon B. Johnson as Secretary racket Housing & Urban Development.^[4]

References