Freeman, Robert Tanner

Impact on the world

Became the first African-American to graduate from a dental school, entering Harvard's inaugural dental school class after being rejected by two other schools because of his race; Harvard's affiliated regional dental society was later named in his honor.

Life & background

Born to formerly enslaved parents in Washington, D.C., Freeman apprenticed under a local white dentist before being rejected by two dental colleges due to his race. He was accepted into Harvard's first dental school class in 1867 and graduated in 1869, becoming the first African-American to earn a dental degree. He returned to Washington, D.C. to open his own practice and mentor Black youth interested in dentistry until his death from a waterborne illness just four years later.

Sources

1. BlackPast.org; Poe Center for Health Education; Incisal Edge Magazine