Jefferson, William Thomas
1864-1925 · Contribution: 1895
Military & Safety
The first African American dentist to provide dental care to U.S. Army soldiers -- treating Black regiments in Cuba during the Spanish-American War (1898-99) as a line officer of the 8th Illinois Infantry; recognized as an early pioneer of Army dentistry, though the first commissioned Black Army dental officer is undetermined
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Quick facts
- Born
- 1864-1925
- Category
- Military & Safety
Impact on the world
Jefferson brought dental care to Black soldiers who otherwise had none, becoming a pioneer in the largely undocumented early history of African Americans in Army dentistry.
An alternative history
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Sources
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U.S. Army (Army Medical Department history)
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