Jefferson, William Thomas
1864-1925 · Contribution: 1895
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
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Impact on the world
Became the first African-American dentist to serve in the U.S. Army, joining as a lieutenant in 1895 after earning his dental degree from the Dental School of Chicago.
Life & background
A dentist, Jefferson began his dental studies at Howard University before transferring to and graduating from the Dental School of Chicago in 1891. He joined the U.S. Army in 1895 as a lieutenant, becoming the first African-American dentist to serve in the Army.
Sources
- U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center of History & Heritage; *Military Medicine* (Oxford Academic, 1996); PubMed
More in Military & Safety
Adams Earley, Charity Edna
1918-2002
First Black woman commissioned as an officer in the Women's Army Corps; commanded the only Black women's unit to serve overseas in World War II
Anderson, C. Alfred 'Chief'
1907-1996
Founded and directed the Civilian Pilot Training Program that produced the Tuskegee Airmen
Archer, Lee
1919-2010
Fighter combat operations; flying ace credentials
Augusta, Alexander T.
1825-1890
First African-American physician commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army