Cotton Canvas Tote Bag (JAMES McCUNE SMITH)

James McCune Smith was a pioneering African American physician, abolitionist, and intellectual. Here are some key highlights of his life and achievements:

First African American Physician: Smith was the first African American to earn a medical degree, which he received from the University of Glasgow in Scotland in 18372.

Abolitionist and Activist: He was a prominent abolitionist and worked closely with Frederick Douglass. Smith used his medical and statistical knowledge to refute racist theories and advocate for the abolition of slavery2.

Public Intellectual: Smith was a prolific writer and public speaker. He contributed articles to medical journals and wrote essays on various topics, including medicine, science, education, and race3.

Pharmacy Owner: He was the first African American to run a pharmacy in the United States, serving an interracial clientele in New York City3.

James McCune Smith’s contributions to medicine, social justice, and intellectual thought have left a lasting impact on American history.